Namibian market leader MTC (Mobile Telecommunications) has completed the first phase of the 081Every1 network expansion that it began in July 2017.
The operator plans to spend a total of NAD1.2 billion (US$79 million) on the initiative, expanding its footprint with 524 new sites to extend coverage to almost 100% of Namibia’s population. It aims to deliver 3G infrastructure in rural regions and upgrade urban areas to 4G.
MTC executive Tim Ekandjo confirmed that phase one had cost NAD232 million. With this investment, MTC has deployed 132 new base transceiver stations in Namibia. 122 of these are already handling traffic, with the remaining ten set to go live by the end of March.
The second phase commenced in early February and will see MTC invest a further NAD278 million to build out another 102 sites before the end of September this year. However, the operator told New Era that this timeframe could slip – and costs could escalate - as it has seen a marked increase in theft and vandalism at its sites.
