Government internet/intranet points of presence launched

WINDHOEK, 30 JUN  – Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Friday launched the Government Internet/Intranet Points of Presence (Pops).
Pops is a platform that will provide Government with reliable, secure and scalable network infrastructure in order to enhance and expand public service delivery through electronic Government (eGovernment).
Speaking at the launch here, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Pops will enable initiatives around eGovernment and decentralisation without escalating costs.
She emphasised that Government rolled out ICT infrastructure in 2012 and completed the establishment of Government Pops in all regions in 2017.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added that the project is to support Government investment into the undersea cable known as the West Africa Cable System (WACS), which was launched in Namibia in 2012 to respond to the growing demand for bandwidth and increasing reliance on the internet.
She said internet centres are located at regional offices countrywide and this will enable all Government offices, ministries and agencies to use the ICT infrastructure to standardise service delivery mechanisms.
“ICT acts as a vector of social development and transformation by improving access to basic service, enhancing connectivity as well as creating employment opportunities,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
As the government joint investors on the project, Telecom Namibia Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Theo Klein noted that “the use of internet services is forever pushing service providers in high heights, therefore it is important for Government to have a sufficient ICT infrastructure that will enable effective service delivery”.
WACS is an ultra-high capacity fibre optic submarine cable which links Europe, West Africa, and South Africa. It is a four-pair fibre system that stretches 14 500 kilometres connecting 14 countries over two continents.

NAMPA