Africa  

    Feature: Namibia's rural dwellers expect better prospects amid national mobile network expansion

    Source: Xinhua   2018-02-21 03:20:46

    by Ndalimpinga Iita

    WINDHOEK, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Plans by the Namibian government to ensure 100 percent population network coverage have bred optimism for prosperity among the country's rural dwellers -- the technologically left behind.

    In a move to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural Namibia, state parastatal Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), the country's largest mobile services provider, will erect 524 new towers across the country as part of its 081Every1 project.

    In a secluded village in Namibia's Oshana region, on a Tuesday afternoon, 23-year-old Selma Kaali lends an ear to the radio hung on a tree trunk.

    Like many rural inhabitants, radio is her sole source of information. "Apart from radio, I hardly have access to new information through other means as the network reception is poor here," said Kaali.

    Even mobile phone communication, she said, is limited to short message texting and phone calls "on a lucky day" if villagers move to higher grounds to get signal.

    "Poor network coverage keeps one living in Stone Age -- excluded from information on available opportunities," she said.

    As Namibia moves to fulfill the global target for inclusivity, through the project, according to Tim Ekandjo, chief human capital and corporate affairs officer at MTC, with the erection of the towers, Namibians will have access to quality networks, mobile connectivity and broadband accessibility.

    "The 081Every1 project will be a catalyst for change to accelerate the development of rural areas in the country," said Ekandjo.

    Intrinsically, Kaali will be able to use digital gadgets such as smartphones and access information about new opportunities. "I also want to start a village online information platform through which we share information on new opportunities," she said.

    Through technology and innovation, the 081Every1 project will further help change the way people live, work and communicate, providing an important platform for sustainable growth and development, according to Ekandjo.

    Rural micro entrepreneurs in northern Namibia are ecstatic about new towers, anticipating commercial profits.

    Agatus Elago from Oshana region has been running a village-based small business for over five years. According to him, reliable network will translate into better proceeds for his mobile top-up business.

    "The better the network, the more people will communicate with their loved ones and deplete their credit, leading to a demand for more airtime recharge vouchers. And I win," said Elago.

    In a remote area with limited power source such as electricity, according to the rural entrepreneur, quality network will further enable him to diversify business services.

    "Without doubt, improved network coverage at my village will mean people will be using their mobile phones more frequently, and thus the batteries power won't last as long. This leads to a demand for phone charging services, a service I plan to offer at my solar-powered shop. I am grasping that opportunity," he said.

    Known as the "airtime man" among the villagers, Elago forecast to earn an additional income of 1,500 Namibian dollars (129 U.S. dollars) per month.

    Meanwhile, in preparation for business services diversification, the rural entrepreneur is sourcing a variety of phone chargers.

    Network expansion is further envisaged to enable people across generations to explore digital technology. With the older generation rejoicing at the news, seeing it as a privilege to finally explore new digital platforms they only hear about.

    "With the network coverage boost, my grandchildren said that I can see my city-based daughter live when she calls me through WhatsApp video call. It's an exciting period," said Kuku Shilongo, aged 53.

    The 1.2 billion Namibian dollars (102 million U.S. dollars) project was launched in July 2017, by then Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Stanley Simataa.

    Over 40 local companies have been contracted by MTC to complete the construction of the new towers.

    Editor: Mu Xuequan
    Related News
    Home >> Africa            
    Xinhuanet

    Feature: Namibia's rural dwellers expect better prospects amid national mobile network expansion

    Source: Xinhua 2018-02-21 03:20:46

    by Ndalimpinga Iita

    WINDHOEK, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Plans by the Namibian government to ensure 100 percent population network coverage have bred optimism for prosperity among the country's rural dwellers -- the technologically left behind.

    In a move to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural Namibia, state parastatal Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), the country's largest mobile services provider, will erect 524 new towers across the country as part of its 081Every1 project.

    In a secluded village in Namibia's Oshana region, on a Tuesday afternoon, 23-year-old Selma Kaali lends an ear to the radio hung on a tree trunk.

    Like many rural inhabitants, radio is her sole source of information. "Apart from radio, I hardly have access to new information through other means as the network reception is poor here," said Kaali.

    Even mobile phone communication, she said, is limited to short message texting and phone calls "on a lucky day" if villagers move to higher grounds to get signal.

    "Poor network coverage keeps one living in Stone Age -- excluded from information on available opportunities," she said.

    As Namibia moves to fulfill the global target for inclusivity, through the project, according to Tim Ekandjo, chief human capital and corporate affairs officer at MTC, with the erection of the towers, Namibians will have access to quality networks, mobile connectivity and broadband accessibility.

    "The 081Every1 project will be a catalyst for change to accelerate the development of rural areas in the country," said Ekandjo.

    Intrinsically, Kaali will be able to use digital gadgets such as smartphones and access information about new opportunities. "I also want to start a village online information platform through which we share information on new opportunities," she said.

    Through technology and innovation, the 081Every1 project will further help change the way people live, work and communicate, providing an important platform for sustainable growth and development, according to Ekandjo.

    Rural micro entrepreneurs in northern Namibia are ecstatic about new towers, anticipating commercial profits.

    Agatus Elago from Oshana region has been running a village-based small business for over five years. According to him, reliable network will translate into better proceeds for his mobile top-up business.

    "The better the network, the more people will communicate with their loved ones and deplete their credit, leading to a demand for more airtime recharge vouchers. And I win," said Elago.

    In a remote area with limited power source such as electricity, according to the rural entrepreneur, quality network will further enable him to diversify business services.

    "Without doubt, improved network coverage at my village will mean people will be using their mobile phones more frequently, and thus the batteries power won't last as long. This leads to a demand for phone charging services, a service I plan to offer at my solar-powered shop. I am grasping that opportunity," he said.

    Known as the "airtime man" among the villagers, Elago forecast to earn an additional income of 1,500 Namibian dollars (129 U.S. dollars) per month.

    Meanwhile, in preparation for business services diversification, the rural entrepreneur is sourcing a variety of phone chargers.

    Network expansion is further envisaged to enable people across generations to explore digital technology. With the older generation rejoicing at the news, seeing it as a privilege to finally explore new digital platforms they only hear about.

    "With the network coverage boost, my grandchildren said that I can see my city-based daughter live when she calls me through WhatsApp video call. It's an exciting period," said Kuku Shilongo, aged 53.

    The 1.2 billion Namibian dollars (102 million U.S. dollars) project was launched in July 2017, by then Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Stanley Simataa.

    Over 40 local companies have been contracted by MTC to complete the construction of the new towers.

    [Editor: huaxia]
    010020070750000000000000011105091369877651
    主站蜘蛛池模板: 最近的免费中文字幕视频 | pruburb.html官网| 明星ai人脸替换造梦在线播放| 免费高清av一区二区三区| 黄色激情视频在线观看| 国精产品一区一区三区有限公司| 中文字幕人妻三级中文无码视频 | 成人精品一区二区三区中文字幕| 亚洲av综合色区无码专区桃色| 男人的天堂影院| 国产一区二区三区久久精品| 色多多福利网站老司机| 女人l8毛片a一级毛片| 久久久久999| 最近中文字幕精彩视频| 亚洲第一二三四区| 精品亚洲福利一区二区| 国产伦精品一区三区视频| 真实男女动态无遮挡图| 天天做人人爱夜夜爽2020毛片| 中文字幕在线观看不卡| 日韩大片在线永久免费观看网站 | 国产在线a免费观看| 国内一级特黄女人精品片| 一区二区三区日本| 无限在线观看下载免费视频| 亚洲Av无码一区二区二三区| 欧美精品久久久久久久自慰| 免费看美女隐私全部| 色噜噜狠狠狠狠色综合久一| 国产挤奶水主播在线播放| 69视频在线观看| 天天综合亚洲色在线精品| 两个人看的视频www在线高清| 日韩aaa电影| 亚洲av无码片vr一区二区三区| 欧美综合人人做人人爱| 伊人色综合久久天天人守人婷 | 中文字幕一区二区三区精彩视频| 日韩国产有码在线观看视频| 亚洲人成伊人成综合网久久久|