Pohamba inaugurates MTC headquarters

THE liberalisation of Namibia’s telecommunication industry is being implemented in line with the objectives of the country’s development plans, says President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

Pohamba said this at the official inauguration of MTC’s new N$32 million head office in Windhoek on Tuesday. Pohamba said the telecoms sector was vital for the economic development of any country, and called on all the players in the industry to contribute towards strengthening the Information and Communications Bill, which will soon be debated in Parliament.”We must also ensure that our laws continue to promote and not hamper the growth and expansion of the telecom sector in Namibia,” he said.Pohamba acknowledged that a well-functioning telecoms sector would lead to better service delivery in all sectors and boost economic growth.”Our Government will continue to treat all stakeholders and service providers in the sector equally.Our wish is to see that consumers have access to reliable, affordable and high quality services.”Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) became the country’s first cellular phone operator in 1994 and its customer base has grown to around 700 000 from 32 000 in 1999.The company has to date paid dividends of N$360 million between 2001 and 2006 to its shareholders.Last year, Namibia Posts and Telecommunications Holding paid an additional special dividend of N$648 million resulting from the sale of a 34 per cent stake in MTC to Portugal Telecom.MTC Managing Director Jose Ferreira said in the company’s next financial year, which starts in November, it would focus mainly on connecting marginalised communities.Last year, Telecom’s Switch mobile service also entered MTC’s domain and this year a second cellular provider, Cell One, entered the market.Pohamba said the telecoms sector was vital for the economic development of any country, and called on all the players in the industry to contribute towards strengthening the Information and Communications Bill, which will soon be debated in Parliament.”We must also ensure that our laws continue to promote and not hamper the growth and expansion of the telecom sector in Namibia,” he said.Pohamba acknowledged that a well-functioning telecoms sector would lead to better service delivery in all sectors and boost economic growth.”Our Government will continue to treat all stakeholders and service providers in the sector equally.Our wish is to see that consumers have access to reliable, affordable and high quality services.”Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) became the country’s first cellular phone operator in 1994 and its customer base has grown to around 700 000 from 32 000 in 1999.The company has to date paid dividends of N$360 million between 2001 and 2006 to its shareholders. Last year, Namibia Posts and Telecommunications Holding paid an additional special dividend of N$648 million resulting from the sale of a 34 per cent stake in MTC to Portugal Telecom.MTC Managing Director Jose Ferreira said in the company’s next financial year, which starts in November, it would focus mainly on connecting marginalised communities.Last year, Telecom’s Switch mobile service also entered MTC’s domain and this year a second cellular provider, Cell One, entered the market.