Fibre push to curb copper theft
Telecom Namibia has signed a strategic partnership with Demshi Investment Holdings aimed at accelerating fibre rollout and reducing copper theft and vandalism in targeted areas.
The agreement marks a key step in the company’s efforts to modernise its telecommunications infrastructure and expand broadband connectivity across the country, particularly in areas where copper networks have been repeatedly targeted by thieves.
Under the arrangement, copper infrastructure in identified hotspot areas will be replaced with fibre, which is less vulnerable to theft and damage and is expected to improve service reliability.
The partnership forms part of Telecom Namibia’s five-year integrated strategic business plan, which focuses on improving customer experience through infrastructure development and strategic collaborations. It also aligns with the company’s 2025/26 annual operating plan, which prioritises faster fibre deployment and digital transformation.
Through the agreement, Telecom Namibia will use Demshi’s open-access fibre network to provide high-speed internet services to residential and business customers. Demshi will be responsible for network deployment, maintenance and the installation of passive fibre infrastructure.
Telecom Namibia chief executive Stanley Shanapinda said the partnership reflected a shared strategic vision between the two companies. “As we fast-track our fibre rollout, we are actively addressing the challenges of copper theft by transitioning to fibre infrastructure, particularly in high-risk areas.”
He added that the collaboration would enable the company to offer services such as cloud-based private branch exchange (Cloud PABX) for businesses, as well as improved high-speed connectivity for households.
Demshi Investment Holdings Managing Director Werner Shilunga said the agreement represented an important milestone for both companies. “As an open-access network provider, Demshi remains neutral and does not compete with internet service providers, ensuring fairness and inclusivity across the market.”
He added that the company’s infrastructure was intended to help reduce Namibia’s digital divide and improve access to connectivity. “We are confident that this partnership will bring meaningful improvements for customers, particularly in addressing challenges such as copper theft,” he said.
Under the terms of the agreement, Telecom Namibia will pay monthly rental fees based on customer subscriptions. Additional costs will include once-off installation, interconnection and call-out services.
Demshi Investment Holdings, which is backed by the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), will operate as an open-access fibre infrastructure provider, allowing multiple service providers to use the same network.
The companies say the model is designed to improve efficiency through shared infrastructure while enabling wider access to reliable, high-speed internet services. Telecom Namibia said the partnership would also support its broader strategy of modernising its network and strengthening service delivery through targeted infrastructure investment.
