PowerCom begins construction of Goreangab tower
PowerCom announced the launch of its Goreangab tower at an official ceremony held at the site earlier this week.The tower, built for N$965 815, is a Lattice free-standing vertical framework tower at 30 metres. The high strength-to-weight ratio of this lattice structure makes it the appropriate choice for the country.
Furthermore, the ability to provide impact protection, high surface area, and shock absorption guided PowerCom's selection of the tower.
PowerCom's chief executive Beatus Amadhila commented that through the company's ongoing engagements with their stakeholders, they were able to identify areas, such as Goreangab, where stronger network coverage was needed. Therefore, armed with that knowledge, PowerCom sought to acquire various sites, including this one.
"Consultations with multiple operators, such as Telecom Namibia, MTC, and Paratus, informed our decision to construct 18 towers, including this one, for the 2021-22 financial year," Amadhila said.
Launching the site, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Peya Mushelenga, stated that access to communication technology solutions should be a basic necessity for all Namibians, not a luxury.
‘Affordable communication’
"Our regulatory bodies strive to provide affordable communication solutions while safeguarding consumers from high prices. We prioritise ensuring customer satisfaction and prompt access to information, fostering active engagement while maintaining quality," Mushelenga said.
Speaking on PowerCom's 5-year Integrated Strategic Business Plan, board chairperson Eldorette Harmse highlighted Windhoek's significant growth in population, elaborating on the analysis process performed by PowerCom's technical team, revealing a further need for approximately 30 new sites in Windhoek to provide adequate service to the capital city.
"Currently, we have received approval from the City of Windhoek to build six new sites within the city limits, two of which are now under construction. We have identified four additional sites for construction in the upcoming financial year, pending the receipt of Environmental Clearance Certificates. We are still waiting for feedback from the City of Windhoek on 22 site applications, which, if approved, will significantly impact connectivity in the Khomas region," Harmse stated.
The tower is fully commissioned and ready for service. At present, service providers such as Telecom Namibia have already been fully deployed onto the tower and are providing service to their clients in this area. In addition, internet provider XYLO Technology Investment is due to deploy on this same tower very soon. Both service providers offer Voice and Data services for which they already have an excellent track record spanning several years across the country.