Telecom Namibia is main provider of basic telecommunication in Namibia.  Telecom Namibia is own by the government.  Telecom Namibia was formed in 1992, as a result abolishing Department of Posts and Telecommunications.  Telecom Namibia provides telecommunication access to over 200 international destinations through the use of Earth Satellite Station. 

   Telecom Namibia offers many different kinds of telecommunication services to both the business customer and the individual customer.  Among the services Telecom Namibia provides include, direct dialing, Digicon, ( a fault management system for Data customers), Intelsat and Inmarsat services, ISDN, toll free services and telephone services.  The telecommunications network in the country provides a GSM cellular telephone and X.25 service.  The X.25 packet switched network, called SWANET, has local access points in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Oshakati, Tsumeb, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz and Otjiwarongo. (2)

   Some telephone exchanges in Namibia towns are still manually switched via an operator, making data connections virtually impossible.  Recently the PTO replaced its microwave link to South African with a fiber-optic cable, which greatly improves the reliability and availability of its primary international telecommunications route. (3) 

   According to 1997 data from the World Bank, there were eight mobile phones in use per 1000 people.  There were 58 telephone lines per 1000 people.  The waiting list in Namibia for people who are applying for a telephone line numbered 6,500 according the World Bank.  In 1997, the waiting period for a telephone line was 8 months and there were 55 telephone lines per 1000 employees. (see table below)

 * All the numbers use in this table was taken from World Bank Data (4) 

    Mobile Telecommunication United (MTC) is the main service provider of cellular phone in Namibia. Mobile Telecommunication United (MTC) is a joint venture between Namibia Post and Telecommunication Holding (the parent company of Telecom Namibia and Namibia Post Limited) and two Swedish Telecom Companies,  Swedfund International and Telia Overseas in 1994.

   Namibia Post holds 51% of the venture and the two partners hold 49%.  MTC started operating in Windhoek, the capital in April of 1995 as the first operator of cellular in Namibia. By 1996, the company was able to attract about 6,500 subscribers of its service. 

   In 1996, MTC launched the Calling Line Identification (CLI) service.  This service enables the subscriber to view the telephone number of any incoming call, and also, the company offers a service to block calls.  The mobile phone standard in use in Namibia is digital system based on the GSM standard.  MTC uses GSM 900 technology; with siemens D900 EWSD switching and Motorola radio equipment.

   MTC does not sell or service Handset, rather, there are a network of Cellphone dealers and handset retailers.  MTC is not involved in the selling or purchasing of handsets.  The dealers co-ordinate MTC services and functions in their respective towns and immediate surroundings.  MTC is headquartered in Windhoek, with a regional office in Oshakati and Walvis Bay. (5) 
 

   This page was last updated: 12/16/99

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