MTC opens innovation centre

MOBILE Telecommunications Limited has opened the first-ever information, communications and technology innovation centre in Windhoek to test, build and showcase new business and consumer applications.

Speaking at the launch of the centre yesterday, MTC’s acting chief executive officer Licky Erastus said it will be focused on incubating enterprise-based services from comprehensive fibre internet and digital cloud-computing services to spearhead digital transformation in the smartphone and smart city initiatives.

“What we are launching here today is a digital cloud-computing service with access over LTE and fibre. In addition, the centre will also be a platform to allow partners and customers to test this service in a live environment,” he noted.

“Digitalisation has sophisticated the market’s taste and preferences. Our customers now demand smart and cost-effective market solutions that attend to their ever-evolving needs. Hence, this centre is where innovative ICT solutions for our customers will be birthed. The centre is planned to be home to new ideas, research and development,” Erastus said.

Based at Maerua Mall in Windhoek, the innovation centre will be a physical space for digital and physical tools, and is expected to bear the fruits of innovation.

“A successful digital enabler requires a healthy and prosperous business environment. As the space for innovation, the centre will include the latest technologies and tools for visitors to experiment or iterate on their ideas, or see how else they might apply the technologies in their businesses,” he added.

MTC said the centre will be open first to enterprises, and later to the public to experience, experiment, share, develop and turn ideas into reality.

Speaking at the same event, Tim Ekandjo, MTC’s corporate affairs officer, said there is a dire need to adapt and stay on par with change, and as the world is diving in the era of the internet of things, embracing digitalisation and identifying how to siphon value out of and capitalise on the phenomenon are key if enterprises are to continue providing effective and innovative market solutions.