WINDHOEK, Aug. 19 — Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Namibia’s largest mobile provider, announced on Monday the launch of a strategic initiative to optimize its rural network and address digital inclusion gaps.
The company’s new initiative, dubbed the “Buffalo Project,” aims to enhance connectivity and service quality in northern Namibia and ultimately across the entire country.
The intervention is named after the strength and resilience symbolized by the buffalo. The initiative follows a comprehensive network audit that covered over 2,000 km across key northern towns, including Outapi, Oshakati, Rundu, and Katima Mulilo, the mobile provider revealed in a statement.
The audit, led by Monica Nehemia, chief technology and information officer of the MTC, and conducted in partnership with Chinese technology giant Huawei, was a direct response to rising customer complaints about poor signal and inconsistent data access in rural areas.
The assessment revealed that some telecom towers in rural regions are not adequately positioned, emanating from historical infrastructure, with several sites featuring low antenna heights and limited access to 4G/LTE technology.
Nehemia said this initiative will focus on improving elevation and coverage by increasing tower heights, relocating sites where necessary, upgrading rural areas with 4G/LTE, and enhancing service reliability in underserved communities across the north. (Xinhua)
