Telecom Namibia has raised concerns about a surge in vandalism of its equipment and condemned what it believes to be deliberate sabotage of essential telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The telco reported that a base station in the Oshana Region had been the latest to be vandalised, after perpetrators cut through the site's protective security fencing to gain unauthorised access. They broke into the main equipment housing cabinets and stole critical electronic components and power infrastructure.
The operator warned that these incidents disrupted essential voice and data services, directly impacting emergency response capabilities, local businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and residential areas.
It stated that restoring damaged infrastructure required substantial financial and technical resources, while network downtime caused wider social and economic disruption in affected communities.
Telecom Namibia described its infrastructure as a shared national asset vital to social and economic stability.
“Ultimately, these incidents divert critical investment away from planned network expansion and service enhancement initiatives, delaying efforts to connect more Namibians,” the company said.
The company has urged members of the public to assist in safeguarding its assets against vandalism and theft.
It said the funds used to repair or replace stolen copper cables, towers and electronic components are diverted from planned network expansion and digital inclusion projects.
The operator is transitioning from copper cables to fibre-optic infrastructure specifically to combat copper theft.
Telecom Namibia has previously experienced service disruptions attributed to infrastructure theft. In September 2025, ITWeb Africa reported that copper theft had disrupted the operator's backbone network, affecting fixed and mobile data services across the country.
In June 2026, Telecom Namibia reported that more than 80 network incidents had been recorded between February and May, with copper theft and vandalism among the contributors to service interruptions.
The company has also been accelerating its transition from copper to fibre infrastructure. In June 2026, it announced strategic partnerships with Demshi Investment Holdings and Lightstruck to expand fibre connectivity, particularly in areas vulnerable to copper theft and vandalism.
Share
