By: Nghiinomenwa Erastus
Telecom Namibia has partnered with Ongos Valley Development to transform the Ongos housing project into a smart city with all-things-digital.
The two entities signed a memorandum of understanding cementing the relationship last week Friday.
Telecom Namibia chief executive officer Stanley Shanapinda said turning Ongos Valley into a smart city requires connectivity, accessible and always-on.
Shanapinda explained that because more and more people are intentionally choosing to live in areas that respond to the digital needs of its population, currently known as Smart Cities.
“The essence of any smart city is reliable connectivity. That means a robust telecommunication backbone,” wrote Shanapinda.
He said TN Mobile would ensure that all telecommunications and ICT needs of Ongos Valley are catered to, be it fixed-line services, mobile connectivity, internet, wireless, data management, fibre installation, surveillance.
As a result, they connect buyers to the market and fulfil the modern population’s ICT needs.
Shanapinda updated that the ICT industry, due to the pandemic, has shifted into high gear to accommodate the sudden demand for remote working and learning.
To keep up with the demand, he said Telecom Namibia, under their strategic drive called Operation Autumn Cleaning or OAC 2.0, continues to review its product and service offerings to remain relevant to the market.
Shanapinda added that Telecom would ensure that Ongos Valley is digital, liveable, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous, especially during these trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic and into the future.
He said that implementing 5G technologies- will play a crucial role in the internet of things (IoT), boosting the emergence of smart cities, asset tracking, smart utilities, and security infrastructure.
Shanapinda promised to ensure that when it’s time for the housing development to move over to 5G, it will be done in an agile and swift manner to ensure the residence are empowered with smart mobility, remote work, online education, and telehealth.
Reagon Graig, chairperson, Ongos Valley Development, updated that 4,500 houses are currently underway for Phase 1, with its aim of building a total of 28,000 houses over 20 years.
He said they are building a green and sustainable, affordable city by embracing an environment with bio-diversity, responsible water management and electricity usage, recycling friendly for all homes, and rehabilitation of streams for recreational enjoyment.
The housing project also aims for low carbon emissions with climate-resilient green technologies implemented, said Graig.
He revealed that together with Telecom Namibia, they to build an Innovation Hub to make more efficient use of physical infrastructure (roads, built environment, and other physical assets).
This will be done through artificial intelligence and data analytics to support a strong and healthy economic, social, cultural development, wrote Graig.
He said they plan to engage effectively with local governance officials by using open innovation processes and e-participation, improving the collective intelligence of the city’s institutions through e-governance.
“We want our residents to be able to manage their lives from their cellphones,” Graig explained.
A smart city is an urban area that uses different electronic methods and sensors to collect data.
Insights gained from that data are used to efficiently manage assets, resources, and services; in return, that data is used to improve the operations across the city.
The smart city concept integrates information and communication technology (ICT) and various physical devices connected to the network (“Internet of Everything” or IoE) to optimize the efficiency of city operations and services and connect to citizens.
Smart city applications are developed to manage urban flows and allow for real-time responses.
Graig added their partnership with Telecom Namibia is their journey towards a smart city. Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
