MTC Namibia and National Housing Enterprise have signed a five-year agreement aimed at integrating fibre and telecommunications infrastructure into current and future NHE housing developments across Namibia.
The deal signals a shift towards fibre-ready housing developments, where internet and digital infrastructure are installed during the construction phase instead of being added later at a higher cost.
Under the agreement, MTC and NHE will coordinate civil works and trenching activities to allow MTC’s Spectra Home fibre network to be rolled out alongside housing construction projects.
The approach is expected to lower infrastructure costs, speed up fibre deployment and improve internet access for residents in new housing developments.
The partnership covers fibre installation, fixed-line and mobile connectivity, wireless technologies, surveillance systems, data management and other digital services required for smart housing communities.
Licky Erastus said digital connectivity should become a standard feature in modern housing developments.
“Owning a house that is smart and digitally connected must not be optional. This cooperation, therefore, will be driving and expanding, through a shared structured framework, the advancement of Namibia’s housing and digital transformation agenda, where we will be building communities that are not only equipped with quality housing but also connected through reliable and future-ready telecommunications infrastructure,” Erastus said.
A Joint Technical Steering Committee will also be established to coordinate planning and oversee the rollout of services in targeted housing areas.
Gisbertus Mukulu said the partnership aligns with NHE’s efforts to deliver affordable housing suited to a more technology-driven environment.
“The partnership aligns with the mandate of the National Housing Enterprise to provide viable and sustainable low- to medium-cost housing solutions that are fully equipped to meet the evolving needs of Namibians,” Mukulu said.
“In light of the increasingly technology-driven environment, the partnership will support the delivery of affordable, quality smart homes with enhanced digital connectivity for clients.”
What this means
For homeowners, the agreement could mean faster access to fibre internet and digital services in new housing developments without the delays and costs normally associated with retrofitting infrastructure after construction.
For MTC, the partnership creates an opportunity to expand its fixed broadband footprint more efficiently by laying fibre infrastructure during roadworks and housing construction.
For Namibia’s housing sector, the move reflects a broader shift towards digitally connected communities where internet access, smart technologies and telecommunications infrastructure are treated as essential utilities alongside water and electricity.
The agreement also supports Namibia’s wider digital transformation agenda and could help accelerate demand for remote work, online learning, smart security systems and other connected services in residential areas.
