The Covid-19 pandemic has made people realise how important information and communication technology (ICT) is and also led to the sector intensifying its service delivery efforts.

This was said by Director of ICT Development in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Linda Aipinge during Thursday’s information session at the Covid-19 Communication Centre. The theme of the session was ‘The role of the ICT sector during Covid-19’.

Aipinge said the “new normal” of working from home and E-learning made people realise how important ICT is and led to the ICT sector intensifying its efforts to implement the National Broadband Policy to ensure that citizens receive the service they deserve. The policy sets out the minimum connectivity standard for telecommunication operators. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology said last month it will ensure the implementation of the National Broadband Policy and its implementation action plan during this financial year.

Aipinge further noted that with a lot of deceptive news being disseminated on social media, the ministry has been playing a vital role in doing away with such false news, amongst others by establishing the Covid-19 Communication Centre.

The centre is a joint initiative of MICT and the Ministry of Health and Social Services and is tasked with providing updates and accurate information on the pandemic to Namibians.

Also speaking, acting Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Namibia, Laban Hiwilepo said Telecom has been supporting the government by making sure the control centre and quarantine sites are connected and have functioning communications infrastructure. “We have also taken steps to come up with revised offerings aimed primarily at the education sector because we are now in an era where it is not enough to connect schools. We also need to connect houses were learners and teachers live,” said Hiwilepo. – Nampa