Sparkle, Telecom Namibia enhance Equiano connectivity

Sparkle, Italy’s premier international service provider and a leading global operator, has joined forces with Telecom Namibia, the country’s state-owned telecom operator, to enhance capacity services via the Equiano subsea cable that links Portugal to South Africa 

This collaboration aims to fast-track the digital transformation in Namibia.

Telecom Namibia, under the ownership of the Namibian government, operates the nation’s most extensive digital telecommunications network, catering to over 619,000 customers with a comprehensive range of services including voice, messaging, data, and video.

Enhancing Namibia's digital future

Through a unique arrangement, Sparkle will supply Telecom Namibia with capacity services on the Equiano submarine cable, providing a varied and swift connection between Africa and Europe. This supports Namibia’s digital progress and meets the increasing data demands of the surrounding regions.

The alliance ensures a high-capacity, varied data transmission pathway, which minimizes delays and boosts network robustness, guaranteeing consistent service even during disruptions to the SAT-3 and WACS cables. The enhanced connectivity will enable businesses and governmental bodies to expedite their digital transformation, driving economic advancement and steering Namibia towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy.

Concluding the agreement, Telecom Namibia CEO Dr Stanley Shanapinda said, “We are thrilled to partner with Sparkle to leverage the Equiano cable's advanced capabilities. This strategic alliance underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional connectivity solutions to our customers and fostering Namibia's digital transformation. The Equiano cable's high-speed, low-latency connection will serve as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth across the nation.”

“We are very pleased for this agreement with Telecom Namibia which confirms our shared vision on the importance of international connectivity to support the digital growth of the country,” said Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle. “We are also proud to see how our infrastructure on Equiano is proving crucial for the evolution of the telecommunications sector in the African continent”.

Sparkle is the leading global Tier-1 operator in Africa thanks to its Seabone IP backbone, boasting extensive coverage in the continent, a wide network of Points of Presence (PoPs) across North Africa, Nigeria, South Africa, and Djibouti, as well as fiber capacity on the Equiano subsea cable.