Namibian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered the convergence of interconnection rates between operators (Cell One, Telecom Namibia and MTC) through the introduction of a standard charges structure; rates will be reduced bi-annually over a two-year period. Symmetry between mobile and fixed termination rates supports fixed-mobile convergence and removes distortions caused by previously higher mobile-to-mobile rates.
A benchmarking study conducted by Research ICT Africa, LIRNEasia’s sister organization, on behalf of the NCC indicates that the cost of termination of an efficient operator in Namibia is NAD 0.24 (USD 0.03). The prescribed ceiling for the termination rates on 1 January 2011 includes a 25% mark-up over the estimated cost of termination. Any other operator can request a revision of termination rates by demonstrating that its forward-looking long-run incremental cost of termination is above the prescribed ceiling, through the use of the LRIC methodology.
More information is available here.
3 Comments
kapila Chandrasekera
Nirmali how do I get a copy of the report also need to contact prof urgently
thks
Kapila
Nirmali Sivapragasam
Hi Kapila,
The link to the report is: http://www.ncc.org.na/page.php?pn=publication
Our contact numbers are available here: http://lirneasia.net/contact-lirneasia/.
–Nirmali
Rohan Samarajiva
South Africa Connect Public Seminar
Interconnection Rate Benchmarking: How Namibia dropped its termination rates by nearly half
Regulators across Europe and Africa agree that termination rates should be based on the forward-looking long-run incremental cost (LRIC) of termination of an efficient operator. Termination rates at cost of termination will remove economic distortions witnessed in Europe and Africa today and prepare the markets for a smooth transition to IP-based Next Generation Networks. The presentation reviews the latest developments and trends for interconnection rates and shows how interconnection benchmarking was used in Namibia to set termination rates. Implementing LRIC is challenging, expensive, time-consuming, and the required information is often not available in developing countries. The benchmarking methodology benchmarks termination rates, termination costs and regulatory best practice.
The correct date for the Seminar is Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 4pm for 4.30pm
Please note the the correct RSVP address – mndlovu@the-edge.org.za.
The seminar deals with the case study of Namibia, where the Namibian Communications Commission (NCC) has recently introduced a charge structure which reduces interconnection rates to N$0.60 For background reading, visit: http://tinyurl.com/interconnect-namibia. The Namibian Interconnection benchmarking study commissioned by the NCC can be found at: http://www.ncc.org.na/page.php?pn=publication.
Rethinking Sri Lanka’s Data Centre Hub Ambition
The idea of turning Sri Lanka into a regional data centre hub is an attractive one, particularly in the context of growing global demand for digital infrastructure and AI-driven services. However, it raises important economic questions, especially whether this is a viable and high-return investment strategy for a small, fiscally constrained economy like Sri Lanka.
Nepal’s digital crossroads: building a transparent data governance framework
Nepal’s evolving digital landscape highlights a growing tension between constitutional guarantees of privacy and access to information, and a fragmented, outdated data governance framework. In a recent article published in Republica on March 17, 2026, Avash Mainali, Country Researcher for Nepal for LIRNEasia’s D4D Asia project, argues that while the introduction of the Personal Data Protection Policy, 2082 (2025), marks a positive step, its impact will depend on whether it can move beyond aspirational language to enforceable rights.
LIRNEasia CEO Helani Galpaya Shares Insights on AI and Labour at ISLE Conference 2026
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming labour markets worldwide. In the Global South, however, these changes are unfolding unevenly, shaped by labour markets defined by high levels of informality, uneven social protection, and large skills gaps.
Links
User Login
Themes
Social
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
Contact
9A 1/1, Balcombe Place
Colombo 08
Sri Lanka
+94 (0)11 267 1160
+94 (0)11 267 5212
info [at] lirneasia [dot] net
Copyright © 2026 LIRNEasia
a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank active across the Asia Pacific