Luanda: Telecom Namibia on Friday signed a Pilot Commercial Agreement with Angola's Gabinete de Gesto do Programa Espacial Nacional (GGPEN) for the utilisation of the Angosat-2 satellite platform.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the agreement, signed in Luanda, Angola, marks a strategic collaboration aimed at expanding access to reliable and scalable digital services across Namibia and the wider Southern African region. The signing ceremony was attended by Angola's Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, M¡rio Augusto da Silva Oliveira, and Namibia's Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, as well as senior officials from Telecom Namibia and GGPEN.

'The Pilot Commercial Agreement formalises the transition from a successful Proof of Concept phase into a structured real-network trial of Angosat-2 satellite services. The pilot phase will enable Telecom Namibia to evaluate the platform's technical performance, service capabilities and commercial viability under operational conditions,' said Telecom Namibia spokesperson Nomvula Kambinda.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Telecom Namibia Board Chairperson Fimanekeni Petrus stated that the agreement is not only about testing technology but also about shaping the future of connectivity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. 'This initiative reflects our commitment to expanding connectivity and ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to reliable and scalable digital services,' he said.

Petrus mentioned that the initiative is expected to extend connectivity to a wide range of users, including tourism establishments, mining operations, educational institutions, and other organisations. He added that the partnership underscores Telecom Namibia's commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to bridge the digital divide and support socio-economic development across the region.