Demshi Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd (Demshi) aims to connect 100,000 Namibian households to its fibre optic network by 2027.
To achieve this, the company plans to invest approximately N$104 million in expanding its infrastructure across the country.
Demshi Managing Director Werner Shilunga said the rollout by the company seeks to offer faster and more reliable internet access to residents in key areas.
He said the comprehensive investment includes N$38 million for the Swakopmund network, covering Matutura, Tamariskia, and Mondesa with 6,500 house passes.
An additional N$36 million is allocated to the Walvis Bay network, reaching nearly the entire Kuisebmond area with 3,200 house passes.
Shilunga said Khomasdal will see an investment of N$30 million, with 5,200 home passes nearly complete, and set to go live by the end of July 2024.
Demshi Telco has signed two Master Service Agreements (MSA), one with Echo Telecommunications and a second with Information Technology Guru Solutions.
Shilunga said both have a presence in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund and provide fixed wireless solutions to many clients in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
“Our fibre network promises to revolutionise internet access in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Khomasdal. By providing faster, more reliable connections, we aim to improve the quality of life and boost economic opportunities in these regions,” he said.
The new fibre network, managed by Demshi Telco, is set to enhance the internet experience significantly. Unlike fixed wireless connections, which are often disrupted by environmental factors such as wind and rain, fibre optics offer stable, high-speed connectivity.
“Fibre technology guarantees the speed you sign up for, unaffected by external conditions. Our network design includes multiple redundancy routes, ensuring a 99.99% uptime as committed in our Master Service Agreement with our ISP clients,” Shilunga added.
The MD noted that the wholesale prices charged to ISPs by Demshi are competitively low, enabling these savings to be passed on to end users.
Additionally, Demshi’s installation of Wi-Fi-enabled ONTs at customer premises eliminates the need for ISPs to provide additional routers, further reducing costs.
“Open access inherently promotes competition among ISPs, driving down prices and improving service quality,” said Shilunga.
The company anticipates significant growth from being the first ISP on Demshi’s Open Access Fibre Network.
Looking ahead, Demshi’s Phase One rollout includes plans for Rundu, Ondangwa, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Otjiwarongo and Tsumeb.
Phase Two will extend to southern towns and additional areas. The primary challenge remains obtaining timely approvals from municipalities, which can take up to six months.
