Mr
Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to address the ITU Plenipontentiary
2014. Allow me also to first thank the Republic of Korea for the hospitality you
have bestowed us with since our arrival here in Busan. We also congratulate you
Mr Chairman, on your election to lead and guide our discussions.
Over the past years,
Namibia has been effectively engaged in the establishment of a policy and legal
framework for the development of ICT in Namibia, which culminated in Namibia
now having an overarching National Policy on ICT and a fully-fledged autonomous
regulator, CRAN.
Namibia is cognizant of the
fact that the development of the ICT sector internationally is central to the
creation of new opportunities for promoting sustainable development;
alleviating poverty; achieving universal service and access, facilitating wealth
creation, enhancing economic growth and development as well as deepening
democratic practices and good governance.
It is therefore, imperative
that Namibia expands its participation in the international sphere through the
dynamic support of the ITU Strategic Goals and Targets under the banner of
Connect 2020.
ICT infrastructure
development is a National priority for the Namibian Government and we have invested
in broadband infrastructure through WACS, SAT-3 and SEACOM. This has broadened bandwidth
capacity and improved connectivity between Namibia and the rest of the world.
The investments aforesaid
resulted in a 100% digital national backbone network forming the bedrock upon
which 4G/LTE mobile services were rolled out in 2012.
In the broadcasting sector,
the migration from analogue television services to digital television services
is progressing well and we have recorded 61% population coverage thus far. We
are therefore, confident that Namibia will meet the June 2015 deadline as set
by the ITU.
The Namibian Government has also prioritized
universal access and service with respect to a wide range of electronic
communications networks and services. To this end, the closing of the digital
divide between the rural and urban areas will be accelerated.
Namibia recognizes with appreciation the
ITU’s assistance to the development of ICT in our country. In 2009, the ITU
assisted us to develop our regulatory framework, which is the bedrock of our
current ICT operations.
During Mr. Houlin Zhao’s recent visit
to Namibia in July 2014, ITU also offered to assist Namibia in the development
of a digitization policy, and capacity building in cyber-crime and
cyber-security, in order to support our government’s efforts. This assistance
is timely and most appreciated.
The new frontier in ICT service
delivery is undoubtedly mobile-data services. Mobile telephony penetration in
Namibia has surpassed 120% with about 40% of users accessing the Internet from
various platforms in Namibia.
We are also involved in a TV White
Space study through our regulator in order to assess not only the sustainability
and affordability of the utilization of White Spaces in other bands but also the
new technologies that will emanate from this use.
Mr. Chairman, we would also like to
take this opportunity to recognize the work of our international partners that
have been instrumental in providing us with the necessary assistance to
establish various ICT driven initiatives in e-health, e-education and
e-government.
Allow us please Mr. Chairman to acknowledge
the work of the Secretary General, Dr. Hamadoun Touré and to salute him for his
leadership of the ITU over the years. We thank you for your devotion not only
to the ITU but to the plight of women and the youth in ICT. Africa is certainly
proud of your achievements.
Lastly Mr Chairman, Namibia is committed to the ITU’s strategic goals of growth,
inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation and partnership and we will continue to
contribute to the international agenda, and ensure that these goals are
reached.
I thank you Mr Chairman
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