MTC to extend coverage

MTC to extend coverageSpectrum allocation up somewhat CRAN has approved the roll-out of 3G services in 89 locations. MTC is set to extend its cellphone coverage, particularly in rural areas. This follows the approval of additional spectrum by the Communications Authority of Namibia (CRAN) recently.

MTC will also provide mobile services in 23 previously unserved geographical areas.

MTC earlier this year communicated its intent to extend its network offering, particularly in rural areas. It said it envisaged a N$1 billion investment in telecommunication infrastructure to roll out 3G services in previously unserved rural areas.

Motivating the need for additional spectrum, MTC spokesperson Tim Ekandjo said earlier this year: “We are very concerned that this project and our investment, which is aimed at rural ICT development, will go to waste if we do not receive the required spectrum soon.”

MTC was allocated 63MHz of spectrum for its mobile services and required 73MHz to successfully implement its intended roll-out, it stressed at the time.

A press release issued by MTC at the time stated: “By the end of December 2017, MTC expects to have added 20 2G sites in rural areas, 331 3G sites with 144 in rural and 187 in urban areas, and 116 4G sites in urban areas. With that the company expects to achieve 98% on 2G coverage of the entire population, and 3G would have grown from 30% to 64%, while 4G would have grown from 15% to 30%. The total resource capacity in 3G will increase to 259% and 4G to 337%.

“This investment from MTC will however be affected if CRAN does not allocate MTC the required spectrum needed to roll out the 3G network in rural areas. MTC has been in discussions with CRAN for the last two years about the need for additional spectrum, and as a result of these discussions the spectrum was gazetted on October 24, 2015 without any objections from the public.

“Based on these developments, MTC's board of directors committed significant investments to this project. However, MTC has not yet received the spectrum because CRAN has not made a decision to allocate the two additional spectrums,” the statement continued.

CRAN has in the meantime provided MTC additional spectrum for the extension of 3G services. It said following the approval: “The licence is awarded on condition that Mobile Telecommunications Limited rolls out the provision of 3G telecommunications services in the 89 geographical locations as communicated to it by the Authority over a period of three years from the date of the award of this spectrum use licence.”

MTC was also instructed to provide mobile services to 23 previously unserved areas.

Failure on the part of MTC to follow through may see CRAN reverse its decision.

“The spectrum use licence issued to MTC in respect of telecommunications services shall lapse 12 months after date of issuance, if the Authority is satisfied that [MTC] has failed to commence to carry on services in respect of which it is licenced within in the geographical locations communicated to it by the Authority,” CRAN said.

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