WINDHOEK, April 9– Namibia plans to bridge the digital divide in underserved and unserved areas by deploying 15 Radio Access Network towers to improve access to information and communications technology (ICT) services.
Minister of ICT Emma Theofelus said in a statement Monday that this initiative is part of broader efforts to promote economic growth and job creation through enhanced connectivity.
An amount of 35 million Namibian dollars (about 1.9 million U.S. dollars) is set aside for this initiative to bridge the digital divide in the unserved and underserved areas, Theofelus said.
She said funds have also been allocated for the development of policy and legislation to support, modernize, and improve ICT development.
In addition, she said, this program is responsible for coordinating compliance with regional, continental, and international ICT obligations as it further strives to bridge the digital divide through remote rural ICT centers visible in all regions of the country.
According to Theofelus, Namibia’s telecommunication sector has experienced notable expansion, with the establishment of new fixed and mobile broadband sites and upgrades from 2G to 3G and 3G to 4G, aligning with the National Broadband Policy.
This has led to broadband coverage reaching 85 percent of the population, with a usage rate of 73 percent, indicating substantial progress in providing access to ICT services throughout the country.
The southern African nation also plans to establish a Cybersecurity Incident Response Team which will serve as a focal point for coordinating responses to cyber incidents and be the primary contact point to liaise with national, regional, and international bodies dealing with cybersecurity.
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