Telecom Namibia (TN) has inaugurated the Equiano Cable Station and activated its segment of the Equiano subsea cable, a project spearheaded with the support of Google. This advancement significantly bolsters Namibia’s digital infrastructure, linking the nation to Europe through Portugal and connecting various parts of Africa via Cape Town and Johannesburg.
At a ceremonious event in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, lauded Telecom Namibia for its unwavering commitment to infrastructural development. “This strategic investment in network modernisation and the collaborative co-landing of the Equiano Cable alongside Paratus exemplifies a commendable initiative,” he stated.
Telecom Namibia’s Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Shanapinda, underscored the company’s pivotal 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,” Shanapinda remarked. He further highlighted that this development will enhance the performance of the TN network, providing faster and more reliable connectivity for users.
Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, emphasised the broader regional implications of this project. She noted that this development presents Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations with a unique opportunity to collaborate more closely in information and communications technology. This, she asserted, will help bridge the digital divide and enhance access to digital services for all.
The Equiano subsea cable represents a significant leap forward in Namibia’s digital aspirations, promising to unlock new opportunities and drive economic growth through enhanced connectivity.
