2006-10-18Staff Report 2 "By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK Telecom Namibia says it is undergoing a metamorphosis that is poised to transform local telecommunications. Managing Director Frans Ndoroma highlighted his company's newest programmes that aim at improving its customers' experiences and orientation. If all goes well, the month of December may just be the turning point for Telecom Namibia's revitalized technological evolution. Yet Windhoek residents will enjoy the latest technology services from November 15 this year. Addressing local media yesterday at the announcement of the new Telecom Namibia Telephone Directory (2206/2007), Ndoroma said the telecommunications industry is bound to receive a complete overhaul with the introduction of new technological advancements. These are the conversion of a fixed network from digital to switch platform to an all Internet Protocol (IP) network, said to provide a wide range of services over fixed or wireless telecommunication technology. According to Ndoroma, this is their largest project to date. "" It is one of our biggest infrastructure projects in Namibia's history ... It is like refitting a jumbo jet while flying the plane,"" said Ndoroma about the massive N$ 1 billion project. Telecom Namibia says the project will be carried out in the next four years, making it a continuous exercise aimed at a total overhaul. Current Telecom Namibia technological structures such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or fixed broadband, Evolution Data Only/Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) or mobile broadband, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and other business products such as Ethernet will be introduced through this latest project. ""This year, we are making the first big steps towards the future, investing aggressively in portability, broadband and ICT,"" said Ndoroma, adding that there is a commitment to bring high-speed broadband networks to residents and business clients from December this year. He explained that wireless connectivity and its full range of services are essential to deliver on demand and significant commercial demand still exists for providing portable service. The new Telecom Namibia Directory (2006/2007) will be placed online, enabling anyone to have access to it anywhere in the world. The latest directory, which has been designed for easy and hassle-free use, consists of new listings as classified in the Medical Section like Acupuncturists, Biokineticists, Dental Laboratories, Family Physicians, Homeopaths, Laboratories, Orthodontists, Pathologists and Psychometrists. Some 160 000 copies have been produced and published and will be readily available at all Teleshop centres in the country." 2006-10-18Staff Report 2
