Namibia: telecoms regulator launches auction process for new frequencies for 4G and 5G
February 22nd 2023
The Namibian regulator has implemented several initiatives to improve the coverage of telecom services in the country. One of these initiatives provides for capacity building for telecom operators.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) last week launched the auction process for blocks of telecoms frequencies in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands. The new resources that will be acquired as part of this process should enable Namibian telecom operators to improve 4G coverage and launch 5G.
The sale by auction of frequencies is reserved solely for licensed telecom operators. The latter are required to submit a detailed business case. This includes rollout plans for the next three years with a focus on regions where 4G population coverage is less than 80%.
The launch of the telecom spectrum auction process comes about a month after the regulator announced the initiative. It is one of the measures implemented to promote technological innovation and improve the quality of service and experience of Namibian telecom subscribers. The Authority has also defined a roadmap for the release of the spectrum for the period 2022 to 2024.
According to the CRAN report on the Namibian telecommunications market for the year 2021, the coverage rate of the Namibian population is 96% for 2G, 89% for 3G and 79% for 4G. The country has 2.8 million mobile phone subscribers, representing an overall penetration of 115.7%. However, the actual market statistics are less important, as some subscribers have multiple SIM cards.
According to Katrina Sikeni, Acting Director General of the CRAN, “ the main and legislative objective of the Authority is to promote competition in the telecommunications sector through efficient spectrum management ”. Moreover, the extension of broadband services is expected to improve the quality of telecom services and the digital inclusion of Namibians.
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