Telecom Namibia Tackles Copper Theft with Fiber Rollout

Why It Matters

Replacing copper with fiber curbs theft‑related losses, boosts network reliability and narrows Namibia’s digital divide, positioning the country for stronger economic growth and broadband adoption.

Key Takeaways

• Telecom Namibia partners with Demshi to fast‑track fiber deployment
• Fiber rollout targets copper‑theft hotspots, improving service reliability
• Open‑access model keeps Demshi neutral, fostering competition
• Initiative aligns with Telecom Namibia’s 2025/26 strategic plan
• Expected to narrow Namibia’s digital divide and boost broadband adoption

Pulse Analysis

Copper theft remains a persistent challenge for African telecom operators, inflating maintenance costs and disrupting service continuity. In Namibia, thieves target copper‑laden last‑mile connections, forcing providers to allocate scarce resources to repairs rather than expansion. Fiber‑optic cables, being non‑metallic, are immune to such theft, offering higher bandwidth, lower latency, and longer lifespan. The shift from copper to fiber therefore represents not just a technical upgrade but a strategic defense against recurring revenue erosion.

The partnership between Telecom Namibia and Demshi Investment Holdings capitalizes on Demshi’s open‑access fiber platform, which separates infrastructure ownership from service provision. Under the agreement, Demshi will deploy and maintain passive fiber assets, while Telecom Namibia will bundle high‑speed internet packages for end‑users. This model preserves market neutrality, allowing multiple ISPs to compete over the same physical network, which can drive down prices and spur innovation. Embedding the rollout within Telecom Namibia’s five‑year Integrated Strategic Business Plan and its 2025/26 Annual Operating Plan underscores the telco’s commitment to digital transformation and customer‑centric service delivery.

For Namibia’s broader economy, accelerated fiber deployment promises to bridge the digital divide that hampers rural entrepreneurship, e‑learning, and telehealth. Reliable broadband can attract foreign investment, support the growth of tech startups, and enable government services to move online. As the nation moves toward its Vision 2030 goals, the telecom sector’s infrastructure upgrades will be a cornerstone of inclusive growth, positioning Namibia as a more competitive player in the Southern African digital ecosystem.