WINDHOEK, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's national telecom operator, Telecom Namibia (TN), achieved a significant milestone Wednesday with the inauguration of the Equiano Cable Station and the activation of their segment of the Equiano subsea cable, a project supported by Google.
The new cable connects Namibia to Europe through Portugal and other parts of Africa via Cape Town and Johannesburg. This upgrade represents a significant advancement for Namibia's digital infrastructure, providing enhanced connectivity and unlocking new opportunities.
During the event held in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa commended Telecom Namibia for its steadfast commitment to infrastructural development.
"This strategic investment in network modernization and the collaborative co-landing of the Equiano Cable alongside Paratus exemplifies a commendable initiative," he said.
Telecom Namibia's Chief Executive Officer Stanley Shanapinda at the event highlighted the company's role in the project.
"We implemented a 100G link via Equiano between Swakopmund and Johannesburg. This link has alleviated congestion on terrestrial routes and reduced latency to South Africa, ensuring the highest quality of service for our customers," he said, adding that this will enhance the performance of the TN network and provide faster and more reliable connectivity for users.
Namibia's Deputy Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Maureen Hinda-Mbuende said this development presents Southern African Development Community nations with a chance to collaborate more closely in information and communications technology, thereby helping bridge the digital divide and enhancing access for all. ■