Zebaldt Ngaruka

OHAMBO JATATE – Telecom Namibia and MTC customers have called for network expansion in the Omaheke region.

The calls are from customers’ complaints in one of the less developed constituencies in the region.

Most TN customers complained that the coverage by their service provider ends in the Gobabis area, leaving the other six Omaheke constituencies stranded.

The disappointed customers told New Era that the insufficient TN coverage in Omaheke constituencies is robbing them of their data and airtime which they never get to use.  

Epukiro businesswoman Charlotte Nanyini said TN provides a huge amount of call time
and data to its customers but is sadly not usable in most parts of the less developed settlement.

“We need its service as they are cheaper than the MTC package,” said Nanyini.

 Otjombinde constituency councillor, Wenzel Kavaka said the MTC network coverage is also a concern for many areas and called for an improvement.“We are struggling with MTC, and at least TN is active in Tallismanus. We need proper network coverage,” said Kavaka.

The councillor added there is need for radio signals in some parts of Otjombinde to improve communication.“Among others, there is no
mode of communication in places like Otjeparu and Ourundu-uozondjima in Eiseb Block. This is not fair, and something must be done,” he said.

Otjinene constituency councillor Erwin Katjizeu told this publication that TN is only functional in Otjinene.

“This is not fair as the constituency is vast and people need to use these services. Customers all over the villages do not have proper network coverage from the two communication
companies,” said Katjizeu.Expressing a similar complaint was Rocco Nguvauva of the Okorukambe constituency, who said the TN service is a cause for concern in his constituency.

The councillor said he had received complaints of poor service from areas including Okounduve, Okambingana and Omukuruvaro.

“My people feel isolated without TN coverage, and they lose a lot of data and airtime when they move out of the coverage area,” added
Nguvauva.

Similar concerns were also expressed by Aminuis constituency councillor Peter Kazongominja.

“We had several meetings with MTC and TN, but nothing has come out of it. This is very disturbing, and we hope the network expansion that we are hearing about will be a reality,” said Kazongominja.

In Epukiro, villagers from Okajombo Ouetu Atuhe, Ezorongondo, Ozombouvapa, Okaruokape, parts of Otjombundiro, Otjinotjiua, Otjihaenena, Ouvanda, Otumbonde plots, Ombaue, and Omarindiuozondoroma, among others, feel neglected by MTC.

Response 

In response to the residents’ complaints, TN head of corporate communications and public relations, Nomvula Kambinda said the company plans to invest in network modernisation and expansion as part of its five-year Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP).

“This ISBP will include the rollout and upgrade of mobile base stations across the country, including the Omaheke region,” said Kambinda.

 She added: “Omaheke region is part of the 700/800 MHz spectrum rollout obligation over the next three years, where TN will introduce 4G services to selected sites. We are currently serving the Epukiro community with 2G. These will be upgraded to 4G by the end of 2024 for enhanced connectivity.”

MCT spokesperson Erasmus Nekundi told this publication that in 2017, the company launched the 081Every1 network project aimed at achieving 100% population coverage.

To date, he said, 80% of the country has been covered and MTC will continue expanding the network. “It is good that our customers are calling for services, which is something vital for the company’s growth. Our 081Every1 project is an ongoing process. The Omaheke region is part of the 80% coverage and we will continue expanding the service,” said Nekundi.

 He said areas like Epukiro constituency have five network sites, of which four are 4G enabled, serving Epukiro Pos 3, Otjimanangombe, Otjijarua, Ovinjuru, and Ondjora, respectively.

He added: “Part of our mandate is to give every citizen access to the grid, hence our deliberate and continuous investment in network infrastructure, especially for the underserved and far-located areas.” -zngaruka@yahoo.com