Telecom Namibia today announced that it has extended its 3G EVDO mobile service to Katima Mulilo, Oshikango, Ondangwa, Okahandja, Henties Bay and the Long beach near Swakopmund.

The service became available since 9 November this year.

According to the Senior Manager of Mobile Networks Samuel Duncan, the newly installed 3G-EVDO network infrastructure will bring faster and even more reliable data services to these towns and localities.

The extension of the 3G-EVDO network to Katima Mulilo, Oshikango, Ondangwa, Okahandja, Henties Bay and the Long beach will enable Telecom Namibia customers, living, working or traveling across these towns and areas, to experience faster 3G data service.

New 3G-EVDO base stations are currently being installed in Windhoek to complement the existing 11 base stations in the capital city. These will be in Khomasdal, Avis, Katutura, Kleine Kuppe, Pioneers Park and Otjomuise.

The 3G-EVDO service is currently available in Windhoek, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Oranjemund, Rosh Pinah, Tsumeb, Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Luderitz, Keetmanshoop, Aussenkehr, Gobabis, Mariental and Rehoboth and Scorpion Mine.

"A robust and reliable network is at the heart of everything we do at Telecom Namibia and we are dedicated to ensuring our customers in each and every region of the country feel the benefit of this," Duncan said.

He said the combination of the company`s recent CDMA network improvements, upgrade and the latest deployments give its customers access to some of the most advanced wireless voice and data services in the country.

The company`s mobile broadband service is available to individuals and businesses by contacting the nearest Teleshop. Customers can select from any of Telecom Namibia`s mobile broadband packages starting from the lowest package of N$289 a month or subscribe for the unlimited premium plan for only N$999 a month.

Namibia is currently faced with new challenges in developing the next generation of scientists and engineers who can take the country on a new journey of national development, says the Deputy Minister of Education Dr Becky Ndjoze-Ojo at a media conference in Windhoek recently.

Dr Ndjoze-Ojo, who received a donation of a Telecom Educational Model constructed at a cost of N$70 000 by Telecom Namibia on Friday, said her ministry has embarked on a vigorous programme to create public awareness on the importance of science and technology in realising the country`s developmental goals.

"Research, science, technology and innovation are key to Namibia`s future economic growth. We requested the model to help motivate school going children to take up science subjects, and create public understanding and appreciation of the importance of science and how it affects our daily lives," said the deputy Minister.

The portable model represents the complex telecommunication environment in a more simplified way to learners and adults alike to capture the full complexity of a telecommunications network. It will be used by the Ministry at educational fairs countrywide to help learners to know all about the different kinds of telecommunication networks that Telecom Namibia offers to the public.

Managing Director of Telecom Namibia Frans Ndoroma said the donation will go a long way in supporting government in providing learners quality education especially in science and technology in line with Vision 2030.

"We have no doubt that the money spent on this Telecom Educational Model will pay off handsomely for learners who will be exposed to it in future. Telecom sees this as nothing less than an opportunity to enrich our learners" said Ndoroma.

The deputy Minister said the model will further help motivate learners to take up science subjects, and create public understanding of the principles of science and innovation involved in the telecommunications industry and related careers.

"It should be noted that the promotion of science is not a government responsibility alone, but should be a partnership between government and the industry," she said.

Dr Ndjoze-Ojo urged other companies to emulate Telecom Namibia`s example by coming up with initiatives that could contribute to training more Namibians and thereby build relevant skills required by industry.

The first ICT Expo in Namibia closed its doors on Saturday following nine days which saw a good numbers of visitors flocking to the President's Hall at the Windhoek Show Grounds, to be a part of this truly awe-inspiring event.

When opening the exposition, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Raphael Dinyando, urged the ICT role players to bring digital technologies to Namibia.

And indeed, the digital world in all its excitement pervaded the event, with all the ground-breaking technologies that underpin it. The stands in the exposition hall were full of innovation and advanced technology was abundantly in display. From mobile gaming, email on the move to the world of virtualisation, visitors were treated to a host of colourful displays and high-tech gadgetry.

Managing Director of Telecom Namibia, Frans Ndoroma, when addressing a Customer Appreciation Cocktail on 30 September, said the Expo was the ideal platform for the public to find out about the latest technologies and innovation for telecommunication and ICT industry. Telecom Namibia occupied six of the 60 stalls at the event.

"Despite the difficult economy, Telecom Namibia's stands are as popular as ever. Our visitors range from business customers, the farming community and general consumers. They are coming to our stands in search of new trends and technology solutions, bargains, product information and products to purchase, as well as general queries," Ndoroma said.

Telecom Namibia displayed its new mobile devices, broadband offerings, and other innovative solutions and services for corporate customers. The company's powerful suite of broadband products struck a chord with the Expo visitors. "Our fixed broadband products, commonly known as ADSL and WiMAX, are offered to clients without any usage limit. This is unheard of in southern Africa if not the whole of Africa," Ndoroma said.

General Manager of ICT and Corporate Business Solutions at Telecom Namibia, Coenraad Coetzee observed that the ICT Expo showcased the trends and technologies that define future global lifestyles. "Namibia is forging ahead, both in terms of introducing new technologies and the way the country interacts with these technologies to define new digital lifestyles," Coetzee said.

"If I have one hope as the Expo concludes, it is that these technologies can truly transform the way we live, no matter who we are or where we live in the world. To achieve this transformation we must all commit to making ICTs available and affordable to all Namibians", he said.

"As bags are packed and visitors return to their homes, how will the ICT industry remember this event? As well as the innovation, the lively displays, the busy stalls and the fun, I hope its real legacy is as a milestone in our commitment to bring the best in ICT to Namibia," he concluded.

The ICT Expo ran concurrently with the Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show from the 25 September to 3 October 2009.