CRAN maps next five years

THE Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) last week marked five years since it was established.

Cran has awarded 28 broadcasting licences and 13 telecommunications licences.

CRAN’s chief executive officer Festus Mbandeka said the authority has the best data collection systems in southern Africa, used for GAP analysis studies to determine underserved areas which need access to ICT services.

Cran also formulated the first Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) regulatory framework in the region, which other countries are using as a benchmark for preparing regulations. In the aftermath of Cran’s announcement, The Namibian (TN) asked Cran about its plans for the next five years.

(Cran): Cran intends to achieve its vision, mission and to fulfil its mandatory requirements so that all Namibians have access to quality and affordable services, and that they derive the full socio economic benefits of information and communication technologies in Namibia. Furthermore, to create a stable, dynamic and competitive environment and industry for all players.

(Cran): Applications pending before the authority are confidential in nature. The authority communicates all decisions made in respect of spectrum use licences for broadcasting and telecommunications as and when they are made in the Government Gazette. The Spectrum Band Plan for Namibia provides for the assignment of spectrum for various services, ranging from 8kHz to 100 GHz. This plan is currently under review, as per the outcomes of the ITU World Radio Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland in November 2015, and will be published in the Government Gazette for public comment during June 2016.

Cran: The authority strives to fulfil the objectives of the Communications Act. There are still many Namibians not served or underserved by the current broadcasters and telecommunications licensees, especially in rural areas. The authority will therefore continue to foster competition and the implementation of services to all Namibians through the awarding of licences for those who meet requirements.

Cran: Cran is a regulatory body, and its operations are not for profit. Therefore, it does not declare dividends.