Information and Communication Technology is key to development of business and communities, this is according to, Joel Kaapanda, the Namibian ICT minister.
The minister was speaking when he inaugurated M-Web Namibia’s earth satellite station for Internet in Windhoek yesterday.
“Internet cannot be restricted to a wealthy few, or formal offices. The goals of Vision 2030 stress that the benefits must have the widest possible reach.
Since Internet is evolutionary by nature, I urge you to find ways to spread the Internet as far as possible,” Kaapanda is quoted by the New Era newspaper.
The newspaper’s report said M-Web installed N$1,5 million worth Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) in Windhoek to provide for a cost-effective and powerful Internet access service from any location in Namibia.
General Manager of M-Web Namibia, Marc Gregan, said unlike typical Internet network connections, a VSAT earth station is not limited by the reach of buried cables.
“VSAT solutions are based on satellite communication channels and Teleport Services, operating on a satellite and first tier Internet access, to provide the most effective and integrated Internet access solutions,” said Gregan.
Usually, organisations and individuals who are out of reach of traditional telecommunications footprints make use of the VSAT technology. However, a large number of businesses have successfully adopted the M-Web VSAT technology.
“M-Web Namibia, in this instance has capitalised on this business approach by investing proactively,” said Gregan, adding that VSAT technology is the future of organisational Internet, designed to suit Namibia and the needs of all Namibian organisations.
“My congratulations to M-Web Namibia and its parent companies Kalahari Holdings and M-Web Africa, on fulfilling the demands of this challenge. The national information and communication technology policy formulation is at an advanced stage and I invite you to join the ministry to effectively implement this policy once it is passed by Parliament. The policy will materially influence the manner in which information technology is deployed in Namibia,” said Kaapanda.
