Telecom Namibia plans to deploy asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology by the end of 2006 in order to connect customers to the Internet at high speed. This follows the signing of a contract between Telecom Namibia and Huawei Technologies under which Huawei will deliver ADSL equipment for deployment at 120 location points throughout the country. This will enable Telecom Namibia to provide ADSL related products for residential and business users.

Telecom Namibia Managing Director Frans Ndoroma and Teddy Lee, Huawei’s Fixed Network product manager for Southern Africa, already signed the contract at Gobabis, in the Omaheke Region, last week, Telecom announced on Tuesday this week. Telecom Namibia will roll out the ADSL service in Windhoek first, ahead of a national rollout to other major centres of the country by December this year. The project will be implemented in two phases. Both parties will install 7,088 ADSL ports over the next 3 months that will provide users in Windhoek and across the country with quality Internet connection. ADSL will offer tremendous value to customers who want 24-hour Internet access.

Once installed, ADSL provides a continuous connection to the Internet with uninterrupted access to the worldwide web and instant e-mail messaging. This technology can be used to deliver bandwidth-intensive applications like high-speed access to the Internet, streaming audio/video, videoconferencing, online games, application programmes, telephone calling, and other high-bandwidth services.Telecom Namibia MD Ndoroma, said: "Adding ADSL to our product offering represents another milestone. Rolling out of ADSL is one example of the commitment we are making to support our customers’ information communications needs." Teddy Lee of Huawei said, "ADSL technology, will bring broadband services to customers in Namibia.

Mr. Frans Ndoroma, MD of Telecom Namibia (left) and Mr. Teddy Lee, Huawei’s Fixed Network Product Manager for Southern Africa (right) signing the ADSL contract at Gobabis last week, and in the presence of Telecom Namibia project engineer Obed Heitha (standing).