Telecom Namibia celebrates 32 years with historic inauguration of the “Telecom Namibia equiano cable station” and activation of capacity on equiano subsea cable
Telecom Namibia, celebrating 32 years of service to the nation, proudly hosted the inauguration of the Telecom Namibia Equiano Equiano Cable Station, marking a historic occasion as they simultaneously activated their capacity on the Equiano subsea cable, which cable was commissioned by Google. The cable links Namibia to Europe via Portugal and to the rest of Africa, via Cape Town and Johannesburg. This momentous event signified a quantum leap forward in Namibia’s digital transformation journey, paving the way for an era of unprecedented connectivity and boundless opportunities.
The Equiano high-capacity cable drastically strengthens Namibia’s international connections. Combined with the existing West Africa Cable System (WACS), Namibia is positioned to become a regional Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub, well-equipped to address the ever-growing data demands of the modern world.
The Equiano cable serves as a game-changer for Namibia’s future. By fostering faster, more reliable communication, the cable unlocks a wealth of opportunities across various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and logistics. The positive impact extends beyond Namibia’s borders, serving as a catalyst for regional integration within the SADC region.
The ceremony featured remarks from key stakeholders. Telecom Namibia’s CEO, Dr Stanley Shanapinda highlighted the company’s contribution to the project, stating: “We implemented a 100G link via Equiano between Swakopmund and Johannesburg. This link has alleviated congestion on terrestrial routes and reduced latency to South Africa, ensuring the highest quality of service for our customers. This enhanced the performance of the TN network and provided faster, more reliable connectivity for users, he emphasised.”
Honourable John Mutorwa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport expressed his gratitude on behalf of His Excellency Dr Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia. He said: “We are deeply grateful to Telecom Namibia for their unwavering dedication to infrastructural development. This strategic investment in network modernization and the collaborative co-landing of the Equiano cable alongside Paratus exemplifies a commendable initiative.”
Honourable Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, Deputy Minister of Finance & Public Enterprises, focused on the future potential for the SADC region: “Looking towards the future, SADC nations have a tremendous opportunity to further exploit synergies in the ICT sector. By working together, we can unlock a future of immense benefit for our citizens. Imagine a united SADC leveraging combined resources to deliver a higher standard of ICT services across the region. This collaboration would not only improve service quality but also create economies of scale, potentially leading to lower costs for consumers. Additionally, regional cooperation can accelerate broadband deployment throughout SADC, bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access for all.”
The event marked a momentous occasion, celebrating the dawn of a new era of connectivity for Namibia. The inauguration was attended by various stakeholders from government, the private sector, and industry leaders, signifying the widespread importance of this achievement for the nation’s digital future.
-Telecom Namibia