By Mbatjiua Ngavirue WINDHOEK Telecom Namibia plans to deploy asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology by the end of 2006 in order to connect customers to the Internet at high speed. This follows the signing of a contract between Telecom Namibia and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, under which Huawei will deliver ADSL equipment for deployment at 120 locations/points throughout the country to enable Telecom Namibia to provide ADSL-related products for residential and business users. Telecom Namibia’s Managing Director, Frans Ndoroma, and Teddy Lee, Huawei’s Fixed Network Product Manager for Southern Africa, signed the contract last week at Gobabis, in the Omaheke Region. Telecom Namibia will roll out the ADSL service in Windhoek first, ahead of a national roll-out that will see the extension of the ADSL footprint to other major centres of the country by December this year. The project will be implemented in two phases. As part of the terms of the contract, the parties will install 7ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 088 ADSL ports over the next three months which will provide users in Windhoek and across the country with quality Internet connection. The company says ADSL will offer tremendous value to customers who want always-on Internet access. Once installed, ADSL provides a continuous always-on connection to the Internet with uninterrupted access to the worldwide web and instant e-mail messaging. This technology can be used to deliver bandwidth-intensive applications like high-speed access to the Internet, streaming audio/video, video-conferencing, online games, application programmes, telephone calling and other high-bandwidth services. Telecom Namibia says it continues to work towards delivering its vision of enriching people’s lives and productivity through communication, by focusing on bringing more excellent services and innovative technologies to customers. The company recognizes the value of the data communications market for its customers and its own business. Telecom’s MD, Frans Ndoroma, said: “Adding ADSL to our product offering represents another milestone. Rolling-out of ADSL is one example of the commitment we are making to support our customers’ information communications needs.” Lee said Huawei is very excited about the opportunity to work with Telecom Namibia to bring the benefits of high-speed connectivity to businesses and consumers in Namibia. “We are honoured to strengthen our partnership with Telecom Namibia by providing ADSL technology, which will bring broadband services to customers in Namibia,” said Lee. Ndoroma said the introduction of ADSL access technology would be a major bright spot in the Namibian telecommunications market, with end-users destined to reap most of the benefits as they can take greater advantage of the technological innovation for broadband access, particularly for ADSL services.