Paratus Telecoms Group CEO Barney Harmse has revealed that it will be investing more than R150 million on infrastructure in Namibia over the next three years of which R100m will be invested in fibre infrastructure. Harmse says this is part of the fibre expansion programme in which it has already invested just over R20 million.
According to the company, it has already installed 100km of fibre and the entire solution is an end-to-end solution from Paratus Telecom, completely independent of any third-party infrastructure. This includes metro services for larger organisations and GP on FTTx for consumers and small businesses in Windhoek and Katima Mulilo.
Harmse points to Finkenstein estate, east of Windhoek, as one of the company's first successes where connected residents have access to this connectivity. "Finkenstein manor and village have partnered with us to create a Namibian digital village, providing homeowners with a gateway to the digital age. We have already started to deploy fibre to 550 homes, but the fibre infrastructure will eventually be deployed to 1 000 plus homes and will provide an all-inclusive turn-key service solution to residents," he adds.
He believes this is the first FTTH deployment in Africa for one of the privately owned Pan-African operators built on own infrastructure. "Customers will now be able to enjoy endless value-added broadband services and connectivity solutions over a state-of-the-art fibre optic network."
As indicated earlier in the year when the company appointed Colwyn van Rensburg as its new chief commercial officer, it plans to continue its commitment to capture the African market.
Last year the African telecommunications company entered the South African telecoms market by acquiring Maxwell Technology, a full-spectrum end-to-end connectivity solutions provider.
Speaking at the time of the acquisition, Paratus said it aims to be the connectivity solutions facilitator of choice for companies expanding into Africa as it is well positioned to address any connectivity requirements.
With a presence in over 22 countries including SA, Angola and Zambia, the telecoms company say its turnover for 2016 was R1 billion, which it has indicated it plans grow to R1.2 billion for year ending February 2017. Furthermore it has earmarked an estimated R1.4 billion budget for Africa over the next five years.
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