Steps towards bridging the digital divide
Namibia’s drive to bring better internet and mobile services to remote communities just gained more momentum. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), through its Universal Service Fund (USF), has completed a detailed site verification exercise in nine regions as part of its plan to roll out Phase 2 of the national connectivity programme.From 28 April to 23 May 2025, CRAN visited 16 proposed sites across the //Kharas, Kunene, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango East, and Zambezi regions. The goal was to assess existing infrastructure and identify where improvements are most needed to bring mobile broadband and voice services to underserved and unserved areas.
The site visits included 23 schools and two clinics. What CRAN found was concerning:
• 14 schools had no network connection at all;
• Nine schools had only patchy or unreliable service;
• Both clinics had no internet or voice connectivity.
Where there was some form of connection, it was often through outdated technologies like satellite or point-to-point links, resulting in slow and unstable internet.
How the assessment was done
The CRAN team used GPS tools and worked closely with school and clinic staff to plan visits and carry out on-site testing. They measured signal strength, ran internet speed tests, and documented all infrastructure challenges.
Based on these findings, CRAN will now prioritise which sites need new or upgraded infrastructure. The USF will provide financial support to mobile network operators to install or improve services in these areas.
Many of the visited institutions already have access to electricity, either through the national grid or solar power, which makes it easier to deploy new infrastructure. Most buildings are made of brick, with only one school built from corrugated iron, which also factors into how the upgrades will be planned.
Reliable internet and mobile connectivity is more than a convenience, it’s essential for education, healthcare, business and development. These upgrades will help bridge the digital divide, give rural communities better access to opportunities, and support Namibia’s broader digital development goals.
As Phase 2 of the USF rollout moves forward, the insights from this assessment will help ensure that no community is left behind in Namibia’s digital future.