15% of population using smartphones

ONGWEDIVA, Sept. 5 – MTC paraded a variety of cellphones during the 18th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), and it was business as usual as over 4600 units were bought ought by the public. Phones sold ranged from those with basic features, high-end smartphones such as the Huawei P9 and the sibling P9 Lite.

The market growth for smartphones has also increased exponentially according to MTC’s Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer Tim Ekandjo.

Researchers found that, on average, 15 percent of people living in the country had a smartphone, while 65 percent still used a feature phone.

Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer Tim Ekandjo added: “In 2016 we launched the Osmartphona Campaign whose objective was to ensure that smartphones absorption especially in peri urban and rural Namibia increases to ensure increased connectivity and also add to the quality of life of our rural population.”

The second phase of the strategy was the 100% population network coverage or the 081Every1 project, which was launched in July, aimed at providing 3G and in some instances 4G network access to rural Namibia.

“So as the country’s economy and access keep growing, smartphones are going to be a very important place for investment and innovation,” Ekandjo said.

“Our strategy in the next two years to increase network capacity through the 081Every1 project. Therefore we will continue to use the various exhibitions and Trade Fairs abound in the country,” added Ekandjo.

He noted that it is very important to keep introducing new devices and ensure that they reach the goal that they set of ensuring that every Namibian is able to browse the internet through their network with a MTC procured or supplied smart device as it will be the focus of 081Every1. – Maria Abraham