Cell One launches in Windhoek

CELL One, the second mobile operator in Namibia, officially launched its services in Windhoek on Friday, offering Namibians a choice in the cellular communications market.

This will provide competition to cellphone operator MTC and Telecom’s Switch service. The long-awaited launch coincided with the opening of Cell One shops at Maerua Mall, Wernhil Park, Gustav Voigts Centre, Katutura Independence Centre and at the Cell One Customer Care Centre in Jan Jonker Road, Ausspannplatz.Cell One was granted a licence by the Namibia Communications Commission early last year, and had promised to be connected by year-end.According to the company, Cell One prepaid starter packs are available at their shops and with a range of distributors.Explaining how the network operates, Chief Executive Officer Mac Allman said: “With Cell One you only pay for the time you talk.If you talk for 13 seconds you pay for 13 seconds.There is no start-up cost.We charge the same price for calls regardless of the time of day and night and the same price is charged for calling a fixed line, Switch or MTC.”The Cell One network is only available in Windhoek but the cellular phone company said it would be rolled out in phases to the rest of the country.”The company is working towards connecting most Namibians by the end of 2007,” said Allman.The long-awaited launch coincided with the opening of Cell One shops at Maerua Mall, Wernhil Park, Gustav Voigts Centre, Katutura Independence Centre and at the Cell One Customer Care Centre in Jan Jonker Road, Ausspannplatz.Cell One was granted a licence by the Namibia Communications Commission early last year, and had promised to be connected by year-end.According to the company, Cell One prepaid starter packs are available at their shops and with a range of distributors. Explaining how the network operates, Chief Executive Officer Mac Allman said: “With Cell One you only pay for the time you talk.If you talk for 13 seconds you pay for 13 seconds.There is no start-up cost.We charge the same price for calls regardless of the time of day and night and the same price is charged for calling a fixed line, Switch or MTC.”The Cell One network is only available in Windhoek but the cellular phone company said it would be rolled out in phases to the rest of the country.”The company is working towards connecting most Namibians by the end of 2007,” said Allman.