OneWeb on its way
Four local companies made public submissions yesterday to compete for spectrum to provide OneWeb’s internet services in Namibia.Echo Namibia, Oblixx Communication Networks (OCN), Radio Electronic’s subsidiary Blue Telecommunications, and Rocketnet are all proposing to sell OneWeb services delivered via low-orbit satellites locally.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) hosted the event at the Windhoek Country Club Resort in the capital.
OneWeb is a competitor to Starlink, which is still negotiating with the government for an exemption from the requirement that 51% of local internet providers must be Namibian-owned. In the meantime, the four companies are seeking a spectrum allocation from CRAN to sell OneWeb connectivity in Namibia.
“They [OneWeb] are willing to work with third-party service providers like us, and the partnership will have majority Namibian ownership,” said Radio Electronic’s CEO, Francois du Toit.
Marc Gregan of Echo Namibia explained that Starlink would request direct internet-based payment from local customers without using Namibian bank accounts. He elaborated on the OneWeb offering for businesses, which would require an investment of N$90 000 for equipment and about N$4 000 per month for services.
OCN’s Maarten Venter said they are targeting government, banks, and the agriculture, mining, oil and gas, and retail sectors with their single-dome installations, which enable broadband services with a download speed of 75 Mbps and an upload speed of 15 Mbps.
The equipment connects customers to OneWeb’s constellation of 648 satellites orbiting about 1 200 km above the Earth. OCN uses its own software to monitor service quality and intervene with the provider if performance deteriorates. “It’s a similar relationship to our other VSAT service providers,” he explained.
Also aimed at businesses, OCN’s consumer terminals and products will cost around N$150 000, according to Venter.
Licensed providers
According to CRAN’s executive officer for engineering and technical services, Ronel le Grange, all four competitors are licensed among the 67 licensees authorised to provide internet services in Namibia.
Rocketnet’s Xander Erasmus said they focus mostly on fibre optic technology but want to use OneWeb to offer solutions, particularly for remote farmers. Rocketnet is benefiting from its relationship with Q-kon, which releases up to four gigabytes from OneWeb to them.
According to Du Toit, Blue Telecommunications’ partnership with KVH offers end-to-end encryption and cloud-based management and monitoring capabilities through additional hardware. However, his immediate focus is on securing the spectrum licence before prices are set. “It will be cheaper,” he added.
In response to inquiries from representatives of Paratus Namibia, Le Grange acknowledged that CRAN would need to review applicable satellite fees, as the technology has advanced significantly.
MTC’s general manager for networks, Ludwig Tjitandi, also called for CRAN to review satellite regulations, arguing that satellite services currently have an unfair advantage over other services with high infrastructure costs. “We need to understand the implications. There are far-reaching consequences,” he said. “How will we limit this to rural areas?” he also asked.
However, on behalf of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), its CEO, Roelie Venter, described the proposals as unaffordable and pleaded: “We need solutions. Data is no longer a luxury, but a business necessity. Our farmers need solutions, please.” – [email protected]