Rhys Morgan, Vice President, Western Europe & Africa Sales, SES

Broadcast media is more than just entertainment; it also means access to information and educational resources as well as a way to communicate to a mass audience in a regional or country-wide emergency.

Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) is working with Intelsat (now part of SES) to improve its TV and radio signal quality and reception nationwide, ensuring 100% national coverage and improved broadcast reliability, a move that will support the country’s digital migration through satellite broadcasting. The agreement begins a transformational journey for NBC, using high-performance Ku-band satellite capacity and infrastructure provided by SES/Intelsat and revamping the broadcaster’s infrastructure.

The upgrades include uplink and remote antennae across the country to power national broadcast services, to expand NBC’s broadcast reach from 74.5% (for television) and 78% (for radio) to 100%.

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Broadcasting for Educational Purposes
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As of 2024, a little more than half (62%) Namibian households had internet access which has a definite impact on e-learning initiatives. In fact, during COVID lockdowns, the Ministry of Education reported that only 2% of the total student population could access e-learning platforms. In that case, many turned to broadcast to provide continuity of education for housebound students.

NBC supports educational programming, including adult learning content through its radio and TV channels, as well as supporting distance education for those students who may not have access to traditional school. Because of this, it is important they have reliable connectivity to all areas, no matter how remote, to enhance reach and impact.

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Increase in News Consumption
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Namibia’s news consumption landscape is undergoing a major transformation, driven by the digital revolution. Data indicates a rise in overall news consumption, particularly among younger generations. Social media, the internet, and television have surpassed newspapers as the preferred sources of news. However, radio remains the most popular medium, with 77% of Namibians relying on it for news, followed by social media at 50% and television at 44%.

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Broadcasting in Emergencies
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Radio and television can provide critical information when emergencies occur. Many countries use an emergency broadcast system over radio and television to quickly provide life-saving information to a widespread audience.

Namibia recently launched a National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP) using telecommunications to improve disaster risk management all while ensuring communication remains a reliable lifeline during crises.

While SES/Intelsat’s deal with NBC hasn’t been mentioned as part of the country’s overall NETP plan, both initiatives (NBC broadcasting projects and the NETP) fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) and could provide that vital broadcast lifeline. What’s Next?

During the next six to seven months, NBC aims to complete its full migration from DTT to a DTH platform—an ambitious move designed to close coverage gaps and deliver universal broadcast access across Namibia, no matter how remote the location.

This transition marks a pivotal shift in the country’s media infrastructure as well as underscores the enduring importance of satellite broadcasting in driving connectivity and media growth across Africa.
www.intelsat.com/global-network/