By Marx Itamalo /
FOLLOWING a spate of complaints from members of the public in the northern regions regarding the poor cellphone network connection, mobile telecommunication company (MTC) has come forth to address the issue.
Complaints have recently been received from community members and MTC customers in Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, the two Kavango regions and Zambezi.
The community members observe that in some areas such as Ombwata A, Ombwata B in Omusati, Onampira in Oshana, Onekwaya – West in Ohangwena and Eengodi in Oshikoto there was no cellular network connectivity.
MTC spokesperson Mr Erasmus Nekundi indicated that the mobile network provider had noted complaints from these areas and that the company is in the process of making assessments to bring about lasting solutions.
“First of all let me thank our customers for bringing up this issue again. It shows they have trust in us and it gives us direction on what our customers want us to do for them,” said Nekundi.
“The network problem in those areas is known. We have noted it in our reports. Assessments are being done to establish what exactly needs to be done.”
Nekundi stated that, as far as MTC’s network towers are concerned, the company is plagued by two problems – the lack of towers and overloaded towers in some areas.
“Many places concerned are within the radius of available towers where reception was supposed to be received, but unfortunately the reception remains poor. This is largely because of the fact that many of the towers are overloaded. There are many people using the towers. They cannot cope with the volume.”
Nekundi stressed that MTC will upgrade the existing towers to ensure that the tentacles of reception are spread to many areas within the vicinity of the existing towers.
“Those existing towers will be upgraded and we will erect towers where there are none,” he stated.
The spokesman further said that a technical team from MTC head office has visited the regions of concern such as Omusati, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kavango West, Kavango East and Oshana to assess the situation.
He, however, did not give the time-frame as to when the work, to upgrade or erect the new towers, will start.
He also highlighted that MTC will soon roll out the 4G connectivity program across the nation to improve internet connection and ensure every MTC customer can access fast internet if they have data.
“As we speak, you can see that someone can only surf the internet when in urban centres like towns, but when they return or move to villages the internet is slow,” he explained.
“So, with 4G, everyone with data can use the internet fast and people will be able to do their research via internet even in rural areas without having to go to town.”
Nekundi also warned members of the public against scams targeting especially MTC customers.
“We have received the reports about people losing money after falling prey to scammers. People should be careful.
“MTC would never ask a customer to provide sensitive information such as bank account numbers or bank card numbers over the phone. What we do if a person has won a prize, we call them and tell them to go to the nearby mobile home and provide their personal information to an identified official,” he stated.
He also said that it is a lengthy process for MTC to block a number suspected of criminal activities as this requires police involvement and a court order.
In the photo: MTC’s spokesperson Mr Erasmus Nekundi.
