By: Kanto Kai Okanta
The Communications
Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has convened two key industry
engagements aimed at strengthening the country’s telecommunications ecosystem
and accelerating network modernisation efforts.
The regulator’s Telecos
Stakeholder Engagement, held earlier in the day, focused on a range of
strategic initiatives shaping Namibia’s digital infrastructure development.
Discussions covered progress on the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Project,
measures to enhance Quality of Service (QoS), broadband speed improvements, and
the Long-Run Incremental Cost (LRIC) Study.
CRAN indicated that these
initiatives form part of broader regulatory and operational efforts designed to
improve service reliability, strengthen network security frameworks, and
promote efficiency within the sector.
In a separate session, the
Authority conducted an Oral Hearing on the planned sunset of 2G and 3G
technologies. The hearing examined the implications of transitioning away from
legacy network systems toward more advanced 4G and 5G platforms.
According to the regulator,
the phase-out of older technologies is expected to yield multiple benefits,
including enhanced cybersecurity resilience, improved network performance,
reduced operational costs, and better overall service quality for consumers.
CRAN Chief Executive
Officer, Mrs. Emilia Nghikembua, underscored the importance of industry
collaboration in sustaining the country’s competitiveness within the digital
economy.
“Our collective efforts are
essential in ensuring Namibia remains competitive in the digital economy,
providing citizens with affordable, reliable, and high-quality services,” she
said.
The Authority emphasised
that stakeholder consultations and public hearings remain central to its
regulatory approach, supporting transparency while enabling coordinated sector
development.
Industry observers note that
Namibia’s move to sunset 2G and 3G networks aligns with global
telecommunications trends, as regulators and operators increasingly prioritise
spectrum efficiency, next-generation connectivity, and digital service
expansion.
