The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Africa
Telecommunication systems Namibia, in 35 editions.
The entry for Namibia published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 25 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 25
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2024
Published as “Telecommunications” (1990 to 1994), “Telephone system” (1995 to 2019) and “Telecommunication systems” (2020 to 2024).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
1990 edition
First publishedThe same text in 1990 and 1991.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- good urban, fair rural services;
- radio relay connects major towns, wires extend to other population centers;
- 62,800 telephones;
- stations--2 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV
good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; stations--2 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- good urban, fair rural services;
- radio relay connects major towns, wires extend to other population centers;
- 62,800 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV
good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires
extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; stations--2 broadcast stations -
4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV
Published as “Telecommunications”
- good urban, fair rural services;
- radio relay connects major towns, wires extend to other population centers;
- 62,800 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV
good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires
wires extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; broadcast
stations -
Published as “Telephone system”
62,800 telephones; telephone density - 38/1,000 persons
- local:
- good urban services
- intercity:
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire
- international:
- NA
Rewritten: too little of the 1994 text remains to mark the changes.
62,800 telephones; telephone density - 38/1,000
persons
local: good urban services
intercity: fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major
towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire
international: NA
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- good urban services;
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire
- international:
- NA
62,800 telephones; telephone density - 38/1,000 domestic: good urban
persons
local:services services; fair rural service; microwave radio
intercity:
relay links major
by open wire
international: NA
The same text in 1997 and 1998.
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- good urban services;
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire
- international:
- NA
note: a fully automated digital network is to be operational by 1997
domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio
relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are
open wire
international: NA
note: a fully automated digital network is to be operational by 1997
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- good urban services;
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire
- international:
- NA
note: a fully automated digital network is being implemented
domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio
relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by
by open wire
international: NA
note: a fully automated digital network is to be operational by 1997 being implemented
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- good urban services;
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire;
- 100% digital
- international:
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radiowire wire; 100% digital
international: NA fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
note: a fully automated digital network is being implemented
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system;
- about 6 telephones for each 100 persons domestic: good urban services;
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire;
- 100% digital international: fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons
- domestic:
- good urban services;
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire;
- 100% digital
- international:
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)
general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons
domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital
international: fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)
The same text in 4 editions, 2004 to 2007.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons
- domestic:
- good urban services;
- fair rural service;
- microwave radio relay links major towns;
- connections to other populated places are by open wire;
- 100% digital
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)
general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons
domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 45 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital;
- Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2007)
general assessment: good system; system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 6 telephones for each 45 per 100 persons
domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay core fiber-optic network links major towns; most centers and connections to other populated places are now digital; Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by open wire; 100% digital area
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002) (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 55 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital;
- Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)
general assessment:
good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 45 55 per 100 persons
domestic:
core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital; Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area
international:
country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2007) (2008)
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital
- domestic:
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of nearly 60 telephones per 100 persons;
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)
general assessment:
good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 55 per 100 personssystem; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now
domestic:digital; Namibia's first digital
domestic:
multiple mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent providers with a combined subscribership of Namibia by area nearly 60 telephones per 100 persons; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital
- domestic:
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 telephones per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
general assessment:
good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital
domestic:
multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of nearly 60 telephones per more than 100 persons; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 telephones per 100 persons
international:
country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital
- domestic:
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 telephones per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2010)
general assessment:
good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital
domestic:
multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 telephones per 100 persons
international:
country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2010)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections
- domestic:
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 telephones per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2010)
general assessment:and connections are now with digital connections
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections
- domestic:
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of about 110 telephones per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East submarine cable through South Africa;
- connected to the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2015)
general assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections
domestic: multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of more than 100 about 110 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; connected to the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2010) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections
- domestic:
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of about 110 telephones per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East submarine cable through South Africa;
- connected to the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2016)
general assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections
domestic: multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of about 110 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East submarine cable through South Africa; connected to the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections (2016)
- domestic:
- multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of about 110 telephones per 100 persons (2016)
- international:
- country code - 264;
- fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
- connected to the South African Far East submarine cable through South Africa;
- connected to the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2016)
general assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections (2016)
domestic: multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of about 110 telephones per 100 persons (2016)
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East submarine cable through South Africa; connected to the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- good system;
- core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections;
- 3G and LTE services;
- Internet and broadband sector fairly competitive;
- infrastructure investment through 2021 (2018)
- domestic:
- fixed-line still a government monopoly with plans to open to competion soon;
- multiple mobile-cellular providers;
- fixed-line subscribership of 8 per 100 and mobile-cellular 107 per 100 persons (2018)
- international:
- country code - 264;
- landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
general assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers with digital connections (2016) connections; 3G and LTE services; Internet and broadband sector fairly competitive; infrastructure investment through 2021 (2018)
domestic: fixed-line still a government monopoly with plans to open to competion soon; multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined providers; fixed-line subscribership of about 110 telephones 8 per 100 and mobile-cellular 107 per 100 persons (2016) (2018)
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East submarine cable through South Africa; connected to landing points for the West Africa Cable System, an ultra-high capacity ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2016) (2019)
- general assessment:
- fixed-line still a govt. monopoly;
- penetration rates rise above regional average with the rise of competition in the mobile market;
- 3G and LTE-A services;
- Internet and broadband sector fairly competitive;
- infrastructure investment through 2021;
- working on implementing 5G (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscribership is 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 113 per 100 persons (2019)
- international:
- country code - 264;
- landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
general assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers fixed-line still a govt. monopoly; penetration rates rise above regional average with digital connections; the rise of competition in the mobile market; 3G and LTE LTE-A services; Internet and broadband sector fairly competitive; infrastructure investment through 2021 (2018) 2021; working on implementing 5G (2020)
domestic: fixed-line still a government monopoly with plans to open to competion soon; multiple mobile-cellular providers; fixed-line subscribership of 8 is 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 107 113 per 100 persons (2018) (2019)
international: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
- general assessment:
- good competition in mobile market and investment in LTE government program to provide 95% of population with broadband by 2024;
- 5G delayed due to public concerns of privacy and security;
- high prices for international bandwidth due to lack of submarine cables, yet improved by diversification of satellite access (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscribership is 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 113 per 100 persons (2019)
- international:
- country code - 264;
- landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment: fixed-line still a govt. monopoly; penetration rates rise above regional average with the rise of good competition in the mobile market; 3G and LTE-A services; Internet market and broadband sector fairly competitive; infrastructure investment through 2021; working on implementing in LTE government program to provide 95% of population with broadband by 2024; 5G delayed due to public concerns of privacy and security; high prices for international bandwidth due to lack of submarine cables, yet improved by diversification of satellite access (2020)
domestic: fixed-line subscribership is 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 113 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect consequent restriction on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable services as a tool for work and satellite - has moderated school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
- general assessment:
- the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024;
- mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years;
- by 2021, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage (compared to only 40% a year earlier);
- despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020;
- the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy;
- Namibia’s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables;
- this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries;
- by the end of 2022 Namibia is expected to be connected by a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscribership is less than 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 102 per 100 persons (2020)
- international:
- country code - 264;
- landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
general assessment: good competition in mobile market and investment in LTE government program the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% of population with broadband coverage by 2024; mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years; by 2021, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage (compared to only 40% a year earlier); despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G delayed has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of privacy the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020; the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy; Namibia’s internet and security; broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth due to caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables, yet cables; this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries; by diversification the end of satellite access (2020) 2022 Namibia is expected to be connected by a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)
domestic: fixed-line subscribership is less than 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 113 roughly 102 per 100 persons (2019) (2020)
international: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards toward 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and has increased due to the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became is still evident, and received some support from governments the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
- general assessment:
- the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024;
- mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years;
- by 2021, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage (compared to only 40% a year earlier);
- despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020;
- the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy;
- Namibia’s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables;
- this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries;
- by the end of 2022 Namibia is expected to be connected by a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscribership is 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 115 per 100 persons (2021)
- international:
- country code - 264;
- landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
general assessment: the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024; mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years; by 2021, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage (compared to only 40% a year earlier); despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020; the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy; Namibia’s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables; this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries; by the end of 2022 Namibia is expected to be connected by a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)
domestic: fixed-line subscribership is less than 6 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 102 115 per 100 persons (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
- general assessment:
- the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024;
- mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years;
- by 2023, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage;
- despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020;
- the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy;
- Namibia’s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables;
- this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries;
- in June 2022 Namibia was connected to a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscribership is 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 113 per 100 persons (2022) (2021)
- international:
- country code - 264;
- landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe;
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
general assessment: the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024; mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years; by 2021, 2023, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage (compared to only 40% a year earlier); coverage; despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020; the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy; Namibia’s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables; this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries; by the end of in June 2022 Namibia is expected to be was connected by to a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)
domestic: fixed-line subscribership is 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 115 113 per 100 persons (2022) (2021)
international: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Namibia: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/namibia/telecommunication-systems.