The Mobilre Telecommunications Company (MTC) reached another milestone, when they inaugurated a new Head Office in Olympia on 31 July 2007.
According to the company‘s Managing Director, Jose A. Ferreira, he was delighted on this occasion. He stressed that his company had marked yet another turning point in the people‘s life and the economy of Namibia.
He highlighted many achievements of MTC since its inception in 1995. For example, in 2000 they built the first road coverage between Windhoek and Swakopmund. Today most major roads and most tourist areas have a mobile signal.
In 1999 the customer base had grown to a mere 32 000 and today it is close to 700 000 subscribers.
International roaming was already functioning during the construction phase.
He also stressed that the company invested in excess of N$ 850 million since inception. In terms of dividends, MTC has paid N4 360 million be-tween 2001 and 2006 alone to its shareholders. The tax contribution stood at N$ 524 715 million since 2001 paid to the Receiver of Revenue.
Mtc plans to initiate phones for health in future, assistance to the National Weather Bureau, help OVC‘s assisting against HIV/Aids. N$ 2 million through the MTC Foundation will cater for those initiatives.
The MD looked into the future challenges faced by the sector. He asked for the establishment of a world class legislative framework and appealed that a serious shortage of skilled personnel in the sector, which is delayed by work permits and visa, should be addressed urgently.
In his key note address, the President thanked MTC for the progress it has been making over the past 12 years an the contribution to the telecom-munications sector. He further stress-ed that the acquisation of 34 percent ownership in MTC by Portugal Tele-com was a vote of confidence in the Namibian economy. The telecommu-nivation sector is crucial; all stakeholders must work hard.

The President of Namibia, Hifikepunye pohamba inaugurated the new Head Office of MTC. Here he receives an agricultural package, which includes repeater, data card and software and the antenna to boost 3G mobile internet package. Photo: Doctor Kandjavera