Telecom goes into equipment trials

AS a result of signing a revised deal with Huwaei Technologies of China last week, Telecom Namibia has entered the next phase in which the country’s sole telephone company will go into trials for the new equipment.

The trials are to ensure that the new technology is ready for commercial launch later this year. Telecom recently purchased the CDMA200 (code division multiple access) system for N$44 million from Huwaei and it says the equipment will be instrumental in improving the country’s telecommunication services and the existing wireless technology.Although Telecom intends to have the CDMA network be installed in all major towns and selected resettlements across Namibia, the first phase of the project would only be rolled out in Windhoek, Oshakati, Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop.The CDMA will allow customers to use a cordless handset up to 45 km from a base station and it also offers SMS service between CDMA users.On Friday, Telecom announced that about 800 of its customers had been selected to take part in the CDMA trial in Otjiwarongo.The trials began on Thursday and will run until August 31.During the trials, participants are expected to give feedback on areas relating to the handset, call quality, coverage and other services.Telecom’s Acting Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Oiva Angula, said: “Such feedback from the trial customers will help in improving the CDMA service offering ahead of its commercial launch.It will also enable Telecom Namibia to determine and reaffirm key marketing strategies that it intends to adopt in order to meet the needs of its customers better.”The CDMA network is being built in conjunction with Huawei Technologies, which is the strategic partner of the project.Telecom recently purchased the CDMA200 (code division multiple access) system for N$44 million from Huwaei and it says the equipment will be instrumental in improving the country’s telecommunication services and the existing wireless technology.Although Telecom intends to have the CDMA network be installed in all major towns and selected resettlements across Namibia, the first phase of the project would only be rolled out in Windhoek, Oshakati, Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop.The CDMA will allow customers to use a cordless handset up to 45 km from a base station and it also offers SMS service between CDMA users.On Friday, Telecom announced that about 800 of its customers had been selected to take part in the CDMA trial in Otjiwarongo.The trials began on Thursday and will run until August 31.During the trials, participants are expected to give feedback on areas relating to the handset, call quality, coverage and other services.Telecom’s Acting Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Oiva Angula, said: “Such feedback from the trial customers will help in improving the CDMA service offering ahead of its commercial launch.It will also enable Telecom Namibia to determine and reaffirm key marketing strategies that it intends to adopt in order to meet the needs of its customers better.”The CDMA network is being built in conjunction with Huawei Technologies, which is the strategic partner of the project.