MTC Namibia successfully launched its 3G HSDPA offering in mid-December 2006. Being only the third network in Africa to offer HSDPA services, MTC Namibia further provided insight into why it is a force in the mobile industry.
Firstly, it's pricing is amongst the most competitive in the industry with data bundles including value-adds such as a PCMCIA card device being priced as low as N$ 0.40 (Euro 0.04) per megabyte in bundle. Subscription rates for 500MB bundles with an HP laptop and a PCMCIA card are N$ 649.
Mr. Jos'e Antonio Ferreira, Managing Director of MTC Namibia, indicated that MTC Namibia has priced the offerings for the benefit of the general consumer market in order to offer them a superior service at a price that even betters the existing dial-up facilities in Namibia. He further noted that "MTC Namibia's 3G HSDPA offering represents a quantum leap in the technology available to the Namibian consumer. Clients are now able to leap from - at best - an ISDN fixed line service to a mobile broadband experience".
"We never intended to launch 3G HSDPA so early after providing our customers with GPRS and EDGE capabilities. However, the take-up of data surpassed our expectations, particularly in the less-developed areas of our country. This made the case for a 3G service even more clear".
Secondly, the offering clearly made an immediate impact on consumers. Launched during the traditionally quiet period for contract subscribers, MTC Namibia's 3G HSDPA sales have already contributed 15% to overall contract connections. "The pent-up demand and the quality of this service are the reasons for the positive reaction from our customers and we will fine-tune the product over the next few weeks by introducing data-only packages" said Ferreira.
MTC Namibia has launched this service in a market that is marked by a large geographical area with a relatively small population with a density of 2.5 persons per square kilometre.
Current mobile penetration is fast approaching 30% and competition is expected in March 2007 with commencement of business by the second mobile licensee.
Share
MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Limited) was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings (NPTH), Telia and Swedfund. During May 2004, NPTH concluded a deal that saw it hold 100 per cent of the shares in MTC by acquiring the 49 per cent held by Telia Overseas AB and Swedfund International AB. NPTH is 100 per cent owned by the Government of the Republic of Namibia. On 1 September 2006 the sale of 34% of MTC shares to a strategic/technical partner were concluded with Portugal Telecom which also holds the management contract.
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