New Partnership Brings Fibre to Thousands in Namibia’s First Smart City

Paratus Namibia and Ongos Connect have signed a commercial connectivity agreement, confirming that Paratus will be the technology/infrastructure partner to bring fibre connectivity to over 11,000 new residents in Ongos Valley, Namibia’s first smart city development.

The agreement is the conclusion of a two-year planning process during which time Paratus has been working on building the infrastructure (the point of presence and backhauls) to provide the necessary fibre connectivity for residents. As part of the agreement, all Ongos Valley residents will receive 1GB of free data per month for the first five years of residence.

“The very essence of a smart city is connectivity. The Covid-19 pandemic has amplified the need to have reliable connectivity with each other and with the world. The ability for children to access educational information from the comfort of their homes is important.

Our choice of partner in delivering that connectivity was therefore key and the reason why we have been working with Paratus for the past couple of years. For Ongos Valley to be a truly smart city, we must have every home connected to fibre. We look forward to working with Paratus in the next phase of building the commercial and support services sector of the Ongos Valley vision,” says Ongos Connect MD Americo de Almeida.

Ongos Valley is set to be a new smart and green city located in the north-western corridor and only 14 kilometres from Windhoek’s Central Business District. According to a statement, Ongos Valley has been designed to derive shared benefit from technology and infrastructure development whereby technology and data informs the efficient management of resources and assets.

Fibre connectivity is provided to every home and business with services being integrated so that they are managed at optimum and affordable levels for all. As a city within a city, Ongos Valley represents long-term investment in an urban and sustainably managed environment, one that is powered by green and solar energy, and managed by technology and data information.

At Ongos Valley, the first phase involves the building of around 4,500 homes and supporting infrastructure. The following phases will see the building of another 24,000 homes, 21 schools, parkways, greenways, and commercial centres.

Critically, Ongos Valley is being built by Namibians for Namibians to provide a place where value for money, quality, shared spaces, and green living are the governing principles for the residents to enjoy a healthier and happier living environment.