Almost end of April 2009 and just finished my book, "Namibia's Future -Smile my beloved Land". Not sure if anybody will read it, but you never know;-). You can get a copy at by clicking the link.
The next few lines were scribbled as I was printing a hardcopy:
A swan song
To much too drink
Too much too think
Thank you all
But back to the mall;
This had to be done
I wish it could be someone
Who cares a little bit more
Someone who does not feel so sore;
But this is my swan song:
For better or worse,
Thank you one and all,
My curse is not suffered alone.
Friday 24 April 2009
Thursday 23 April 2009
Me and bad debts
In 2004 I returned from Germany and started up my company, NamBizDotCom, which is registered as a Close Corporation. I was working on two contracts at the time involving SME’s. The first was in cooperation with SMEs Compete and included a trip to South Africa and Angola to look for possible partners in these countries. The second contract, was for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and was to complete the SME Impact Assessment Survey for 2004.
Unfortunately, my father was declared disabled and unable to continue working. He was 54 and no longer able to generate an income. This started a financial calamity that still haunts me till today.
Firstly, the bank, FNB, passed on the insurance claim to Metropolitan Insurance who did not want to accept his disability and therefore allow for his insurance to cover the cost of the home loan. The buck was passed between the two institutions and this delay meant my father was in arrears on his home loan. The bank therefore duly put his house up for auction to recoup their loss, and advertised this in the local newspaper.
As is my duty, I immediately went to my Father’s aid. After all, my two little brothers (aged 8 and 2 years old) would not have a roof over their heads if the bank and insurance giants were left unchallenged. Suffice to say, after a year of travelling between Rehoboth where my Father’s house was, and the bank head office in Windhoek, we were successful in getting the bank to settle his home loan through the insurance claim. (I must add tribute to the late Lazarus Ipangelwa, then MD of First National Bank, who allowed us a chance to put our case to the right person at the bank.)
In the meantime, my own business had closed and I was responsible for the debts to the amounts of +/- N$ 8,000 to Trip Travel, and +/- 20,000 to Institute for Public Policy Research. This second debt had incurred legal and other sundry charges and was submitted to the courts as an amount of over N$ 25,000 – which is the threshold for admittance to the High Court rather than the Magistrate’s Court.
So, I returned to Windhoek in January 2006 to face the two debtors, the one in the Magistrate’s Court and the other in the High Court. I take full responsibility for these debts and have attempted to pay the debts back through monthly payments of N$ 200 and N$ 500 respectively. Unfortunately, these debts are also listed on my credit record, which is accessed by most employers today and I found it difficult to find gainful employment after my return to Windhoek. Since then, I have spent three years as an hourly-paid lecturer and working part-time in an NGO.
Let me state for the record, “If I could, I would pay the debt of immediately!” However, I have not been paid a salary since April 2008 and have survived by consultancy work. Perhaps with my next job I will be able to settle these debts once and for all.
I do not wish to regale you with the arsenal available to the lawyers, or on the lack of information forthcoming from their offices of how far your repayment is coming. Needless to say, I will welcome a law that helps a debtor in relationship to these educated and learned professionals.
On this matter, I wish to suggest a Consumer Ombudsman for citizens who have dealings with lawyers. On more than one occasion I have found an invoice for services from a law firm that has no basis in reality. It is impossible to fight with a lawyer about any of their charges, after all they are better armed with the letter of the law.
BTW - all details about the debt and the creditors and lawyers are public knowledge and printed in various local newspapers.
Unfortunately, my father was declared disabled and unable to continue working. He was 54 and no longer able to generate an income. This started a financial calamity that still haunts me till today.
Firstly, the bank, FNB, passed on the insurance claim to Metropolitan Insurance who did not want to accept his disability and therefore allow for his insurance to cover the cost of the home loan. The buck was passed between the two institutions and this delay meant my father was in arrears on his home loan. The bank therefore duly put his house up for auction to recoup their loss, and advertised this in the local newspaper.
As is my duty, I immediately went to my Father’s aid. After all, my two little brothers (aged 8 and 2 years old) would not have a roof over their heads if the bank and insurance giants were left unchallenged. Suffice to say, after a year of travelling between Rehoboth where my Father’s house was, and the bank head office in Windhoek, we were successful in getting the bank to settle his home loan through the insurance claim. (I must add tribute to the late Lazarus Ipangelwa, then MD of First National Bank, who allowed us a chance to put our case to the right person at the bank.)
In the meantime, my own business had closed and I was responsible for the debts to the amounts of +/- N$ 8,000 to Trip Travel, and +/- 20,000 to Institute for Public Policy Research. This second debt had incurred legal and other sundry charges and was submitted to the courts as an amount of over N$ 25,000 – which is the threshold for admittance to the High Court rather than the Magistrate’s Court.
So, I returned to Windhoek in January 2006 to face the two debtors, the one in the Magistrate’s Court and the other in the High Court. I take full responsibility for these debts and have attempted to pay the debts back through monthly payments of N$ 200 and N$ 500 respectively. Unfortunately, these debts are also listed on my credit record, which is accessed by most employers today and I found it difficult to find gainful employment after my return to Windhoek. Since then, I have spent three years as an hourly-paid lecturer and working part-time in an NGO.
Let me state for the record, “If I could, I would pay the debt of immediately!” However, I have not been paid a salary since April 2008 and have survived by consultancy work. Perhaps with my next job I will be able to settle these debts once and for all.
I do not wish to regale you with the arsenal available to the lawyers, or on the lack of information forthcoming from their offices of how far your repayment is coming. Needless to say, I will welcome a law that helps a debtor in relationship to these educated and learned professionals.
On this matter, I wish to suggest a Consumer Ombudsman for citizens who have dealings with lawyers. On more than one occasion I have found an invoice for services from a law firm that has no basis in reality. It is impossible to fight with a lawyer about any of their charges, after all they are better armed with the letter of the law.
BTW - all details about the debt and the creditors and lawyers are public knowledge and printed in various local newspapers.
Thursday 16 April 2009
Chinese a good thing for Namibia
Many Namibians have expressed alarm at the number of Chinese workers and business people entering Namibia. The most often heard complaint is that the Chinese are taking work away from Namibian workers because they are “willing to work for too little and much harder – even over weekends”.
Historically since the 1960’s, SWAPO has been a close ally of the Communist Party during the struggle for liberation. After Independence, these ties are still very good. Since 1990 China has provided more than N$ 1,2 billion in concessional and interest free loans. A further US$ 100 million credit line signed in 2007 has not yet been utilised.
Looking at the trade statistics, Namibia already imports 25% of its products (2006), and the rate is growing at 53% per year. (These numbers refer to countries other than SACU members.)
In my opinion the relationship with China is beneficial to our country. One of the most important things we can learn from the Chinese is the ability to work. I believe that rather than complain at the willingness of the Chinese worker, we should emulate their example.
As for the traders that have sprung up all over, this has been a good thing for our economy. It has increased the spending power of our consumers, provided jobs for our workers, and many of these entrepreneurs are marrying into our community. All of these have very beneficial long-term benefits. We must however guard against the creation of “china towns” that will lead to segregation rather than integration.
I would further propose we invite the Chinese Government to open a Confucius Institute in Namibia so we can learn more about their cultures, and also have the opportunity to learn the Chinese language. It is a good opportunity for Namibia to offer our country as gateway for Chinese investment in the continent, specifically into the Southern Africa Customs Union.
Historically since the 1960’s, SWAPO has been a close ally of the Communist Party during the struggle for liberation. After Independence, these ties are still very good. Since 1990 China has provided more than N$ 1,2 billion in concessional and interest free loans. A further US$ 100 million credit line signed in 2007 has not yet been utilised.
Looking at the trade statistics, Namibia already imports 25% of its products (2006), and the rate is growing at 53% per year. (These numbers refer to countries other than SACU members.)
In my opinion the relationship with China is beneficial to our country. One of the most important things we can learn from the Chinese is the ability to work. I believe that rather than complain at the willingness of the Chinese worker, we should emulate their example.
As for the traders that have sprung up all over, this has been a good thing for our economy. It has increased the spending power of our consumers, provided jobs for our workers, and many of these entrepreneurs are marrying into our community. All of these have very beneficial long-term benefits. We must however guard against the creation of “china towns” that will lead to segregation rather than integration.
I would further propose we invite the Chinese Government to open a Confucius Institute in Namibia so we can learn more about their cultures, and also have the opportunity to learn the Chinese language. It is a good opportunity for Namibia to offer our country as gateway for Chinese investment in the continent, specifically into the Southern Africa Customs Union.
Tuesday 14 April 2009
On being Coloured
I am a Coloured. I am a coloured because my parents raised me as such, and because of the environment around me. Most importantly, I can answer my young daughters, (who were not born during Apartheid), when they ask me, “Daddy what am I?”
I can laugh loudest and longest when I see a caricature of a coloured woman gossiping with her neighbour over the fence – it happens in my family even though now it is over the Cellphone, and sometimes in the doctor’s waiting room.
The next observation by people is obviously the one about the typical coloured. It is either the “LBS, lieg, brag en steel” (lie cheat and steal) or the drinking, smoking drugs, swearing and loafing around – and most commonly having babies at a young age. I even had a white young lady tell me that I should not wear baggy clothes the way “the coloureds do”. DUH! And let’s not forget the one thing that carries over from one generation to another – our love of going to nightclubs and just hanging (“nee daddy, ons hang net”).
These attributes are found across all cultures. The fact that as a group we are more tolerant, and probably make more fun of it ourselves does not mean that all coloureds are like this. These are activities which are often brought about by the political, social, economical and technological environment (PEST factors).
I believe the perceptions of a drinking and marijuana smoking culture has its origins in the origins of our own “nationhood”. Most of our forefathers were the offspring of (male) European settlers who settled in the cape and their Bantu slaves (female). These bastards were rejected by their mothers’ family and not recognised by their fathers.
It is a historical fact that many workers were paid with wine rather than money. Now consider being rejected by both sides of your family and paid in alcohol. What is your worth as a person? Are you worth 5 litres of wine?
This cycle is obviously degrading and leads to a very low self esteem. This leads in turn to low confidence levels in your worth and that of your family. This is the big challenge facing the Coloureds with which we still struggle today.
So, those who do drink, do drugs, swear and loaf around (in all cultures) are really broken people who have not realised their own true worth in life. So let’s leave the stereotyping out.
So if we are not that, what are we as a tribe?
Most of us (me included) has lost touch with what we are as a coloured tribe in Namibia, and the broader Southern Africa. Most importantly we must accept our history and be proud of what our forefathers have to done to get us to where we are today. It is time to stop using the terminology of we are “so-called coloureds”.
We are Namibian Coloureds proud to be working to a better future for our family, tribe and country!
I can laugh loudest and longest when I see a caricature of a coloured woman gossiping with her neighbour over the fence – it happens in my family even though now it is over the Cellphone, and sometimes in the doctor’s waiting room.
The next observation by people is obviously the one about the typical coloured. It is either the “LBS, lieg, brag en steel” (lie cheat and steal) or the drinking, smoking drugs, swearing and loafing around – and most commonly having babies at a young age. I even had a white young lady tell me that I should not wear baggy clothes the way “the coloureds do”. DUH! And let’s not forget the one thing that carries over from one generation to another – our love of going to nightclubs and just hanging (“nee daddy, ons hang net”).
These attributes are found across all cultures. The fact that as a group we are more tolerant, and probably make more fun of it ourselves does not mean that all coloureds are like this. These are activities which are often brought about by the political, social, economical and technological environment (PEST factors).
I believe the perceptions of a drinking and marijuana smoking culture has its origins in the origins of our own “nationhood”. Most of our forefathers were the offspring of (male) European settlers who settled in the cape and their Bantu slaves (female). These bastards were rejected by their mothers’ family and not recognised by their fathers.
It is a historical fact that many workers were paid with wine rather than money. Now consider being rejected by both sides of your family and paid in alcohol. What is your worth as a person? Are you worth 5 litres of wine?
This cycle is obviously degrading and leads to a very low self esteem. This leads in turn to low confidence levels in your worth and that of your family. This is the big challenge facing the Coloureds with which we still struggle today.
So, those who do drink, do drugs, swear and loaf around (in all cultures) are really broken people who have not realised their own true worth in life. So let’s leave the stereotyping out.
So if we are not that, what are we as a tribe?
Most of us (me included) has lost touch with what we are as a coloured tribe in Namibia, and the broader Southern Africa. Most importantly we must accept our history and be proud of what our forefathers have to done to get us to where we are today. It is time to stop using the terminology of we are “so-called coloureds”.
We are Namibian Coloureds proud to be working to a better future for our family, tribe and country!
Monday 13 April 2009
Love Freedom Profile
Got a new friend on Facebook. Loved her profile:
"Happiness is Contagious! Let's make this world a better place by choosing to be happy and making the people around us happy. Let’s spread the Love and the Good Vibes!
Happiness is our birthright as human beings. There is no doubt that life can be hard — living in today’s world is not always easy especially with the overwhelming amount of negativity around us.
But happiness is a choice. Make a conscious decision to be happy. You can be happy right now. It’s all up to you.
Be a steward of happiness and good vibes! Do a random act of kindness everyday. It doesn't need to be big; it could be a small deed or a gesture that will brighten up someone's day!
• Hold the door for someone
• Compliment a friend
• Let in a merging motorist
• Carry groceries for a senior
• Say good morning to a co-worker
• Phone an old friend
• Bring cupcakes to the office
• … Or just give someone a friendly smile
There are countless possibilities! The smallest good deed is better than hundreds of good intentions without action.
START TODAY!
"Be the CHANGE that you want to see in the world" - Gandhi
"Happiness is Contagious! Let's make this world a better place by choosing to be happy and making the people around us happy. Let’s spread the Love and the Good Vibes!
Happiness is our birthright as human beings. There is no doubt that life can be hard — living in today’s world is not always easy especially with the overwhelming amount of negativity around us.
But happiness is a choice. Make a conscious decision to be happy. You can be happy right now. It’s all up to you.
Be a steward of happiness and good vibes! Do a random act of kindness everyday. It doesn't need to be big; it could be a small deed or a gesture that will brighten up someone's day!
• Hold the door for someone
• Compliment a friend
• Let in a merging motorist
• Carry groceries for a senior
• Say good morning to a co-worker
• Phone an old friend
• Bring cupcakes to the office
• … Or just give someone a friendly smile
There are countless possibilities! The smallest good deed is better than hundreds of good intentions without action.
START TODAY!
"Be the CHANGE that you want to see in the world" - Gandhi
Sunday 12 April 2009
God's messages
An advertising company in USA put these up on billboards and buses. They really made me think twice this Easter.
1. Let's Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game - God
2. C'mon Over And Bring The Kids - God
3. What Part of "Thou Shalt Not..." Didn't You understand? - God
4. We Need To Talk - God
5. Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer - God
6. Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage - God
7. That "Love Thy Neighbor" Thing, I Meant It. - God
8. I Love You ... I Love You ... I Love You ... - God
9. Will The Road You're On Get You To My Place? - God
10. Follow Me. - God
11. Big Bang Theory, You've Got To Be Kidding. - God
12. My Way Is The Highway. - God
13. Need Directions? - God
14. You Think It's Hot Here? - God
15. Tell The Kids I Love Them. - God
16. Need a Marriage Counselor? I'm Available. - God
17. Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test. - God
Lastly, I was thinking about how people read the Bible a whole lot more when they get older. Then it dawned on me they were cramming for their finals.
1. Let's Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game - God
2. C'mon Over And Bring The Kids - God
3. What Part of "Thou Shalt Not..." Didn't You understand? - God
4. We Need To Talk - God
5. Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer - God
6. Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage - God
7. That "Love Thy Neighbor" Thing, I Meant It. - God
8. I Love You ... I Love You ... I Love You ... - God
9. Will The Road You're On Get You To My Place? - God
10. Follow Me. - God
11. Big Bang Theory, You've Got To Be Kidding. - God
12. My Way Is The Highway. - God
13. Need Directions? - God
14. You Think It's Hot Here? - God
15. Tell The Kids I Love Them. - God
16. Need a Marriage Counselor? I'm Available. - God
17. Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test. - God
Lastly, I was thinking about how people read the Bible a whole lot more when they get older. Then it dawned on me they were cramming for their finals.
Search only Namibian websites
Hi, how do I search only Namibian websites for some information?
Well for my research I kept getting too many other non-Namibian information. I created a Google Search Engine applications just for Namibian websites: http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=001210031332072355124:2xvxaxbcffq
Thought you might enjoy it. Let me know if it is of any use. {Feel free to become a contributor of websites too - its for all of us.)
Thought for the week:
"Whenever I found out anything remarkable, I have thought it my duty to put down my discovery on paper, so that all ingenious people might be informed thereof.”- Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Kind regards
Milton
________________________________________________
P.S. You can alos see the searh engine on my website: www.nambiz.co.cc
Well for my research I kept getting too many other non-Namibian information. I created a Google Search Engine applications just for Namibian websites: http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=001210031332072355124:2xvxaxbcffq
Thought you might enjoy it. Let me know if it is of any use. {Feel free to become a contributor of websites too - its for all of us.)
Thought for the week:
"Whenever I found out anything remarkable, I have thought it my duty to put down my discovery on paper, so that all ingenious people might be informed thereof.”- Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Kind regards
Milton
________________________________________________
P.S. You can alos see the searh engine on my website: www.nambiz.co.cc
Monopolies in Namibia
Monopolies - the good, the bad the …..
What are Monopolies?
Most people discuss monopolies and blame it for high allowing certain companies to get away with higher prices or unsatisfactory service levels. The argument here is that if competition is allowed, this would automatically mean lower prices or better service.
In the following text I look at the various types of monopolies, how they came to exist, and most importantly is competition always a good thing?
There are various types of monopoly. Let us look at the most common types in Namibia.
- Selling monopolies - a company is the only supplier of a product and the customers must accept the prices it fixes
- Producing monopolies - a company controls the manufacture or source of supply
- Trading monopolies - a company controls the marketing channel between the source and the customers
Furthermore, most monopolies are either national (countrywide) or local in geography.
There are three main ways in which a monopoly gets its power, either through the government (a political monopoly); through economic control by a company of a natural resource; or through commercial monopoly agreements between competitors.
A political monopoly comes about through a special government grant that forbids others to engage in this business activity. In countries ruled by monarchs this was often in the form of crown patents giving exclusive rights to carry out a certain business for example the collection of taxes. A second kind is the granted by a patent for an invention and copyright on books or music. In this form, the government encourages invention, research and writing by giving the full control of the "intellectual property" to the inventor or writer. It is recognized by all of us that such a monopoly is earned! Also the patent or copyright is limited in time, 14 years for patents and copyright for the lifetime of the writer. Another typical political monopoly is those for the supply of electricity, water or telecommunications. This last kind is often granted to state companies and encourages them to invest in areas that are helpful to the country and that normal capitalist (profit making) companies might not invest in. This is why it is important to have a Universal Service Fund when such monopoly rights are removed!
Economic monopolies come about when scarce natural resources come under the control of a company (or companies) who agree on the price. In most cases such economic monopolies could have been prevented had it been foreseen.
Trading monopolies come about when a company has ownership of subsidiaries that compete in the retail market in competition with companies that purchase its services wholesale. They are thus able to "share costs".
Government Policy on Monopolies
How does the man on the street react to monopolies or competition? Most of us agree that competition is a good thing in business as it brings about lower prices. Yet the same people would agree with me, the Zimbabweans are unfairly bringing down the wages or salaries we earn. This is where, dependent upon where we stand in relation to the practice or industry, our standpoints are developed.
The question is then, when is it acceptable to have a monopoly. The answer must be: When it can be regulated by Government.
Normally competition provides effective regulation. However, when a monopoly has too high prices, a competitor might build its own infrastructure, for example its own electricity or telephone lines next to the existing infrastructure. So we have to accept a policy of "monopoly-accepted" as a necessary feature for the public regulation of rates. We accept in Namibia that these industries are those that need expensive, permanent and use public areas (roads, electricity lines, telephone lines, etc.).
Conclusion
Thus it is in the interest of country to have monopolies in respect of the development and maintenance of the infrastructure. However, competition must be allowed in the provision of services that use it. Thus, to prevent the third type of monopoly, namely a trading monopoly, we cannot allow these state monopolies from selling directly to the public.
To use but one example, Telecom should become two separate companies. One, the owner of the physical infrastructure should continue to be the partner of government to ensure the roll-out of access to all Namibians (including receiving government funding where necessary). The second company must be a commercial company using the infrastructure at the same prices as its competitors and being able to sell directly to the commercial and individual customer.
For further reading see: "Modern Economic Problems" - Frank Albert Fetter, Professor of Economics, Princeton University, 1916
What are Monopolies?
Most people discuss monopolies and blame it for high allowing certain companies to get away with higher prices or unsatisfactory service levels. The argument here is that if competition is allowed, this would automatically mean lower prices or better service.
In the following text I look at the various types of monopolies, how they came to exist, and most importantly is competition always a good thing?
There are various types of monopoly. Let us look at the most common types in Namibia.
- Selling monopolies - a company is the only supplier of a product and the customers must accept the prices it fixes
- Producing monopolies - a company controls the manufacture or source of supply
- Trading monopolies - a company controls the marketing channel between the source and the customers
Furthermore, most monopolies are either national (countrywide) or local in geography.
There are three main ways in which a monopoly gets its power, either through the government (a political monopoly); through economic control by a company of a natural resource; or through commercial monopoly agreements between competitors.
A political monopoly comes about through a special government grant that forbids others to engage in this business activity. In countries ruled by monarchs this was often in the form of crown patents giving exclusive rights to carry out a certain business for example the collection of taxes. A second kind is the granted by a patent for an invention and copyright on books or music. In this form, the government encourages invention, research and writing by giving the full control of the "intellectual property" to the inventor or writer. It is recognized by all of us that such a monopoly is earned! Also the patent or copyright is limited in time, 14 years for patents and copyright for the lifetime of the writer. Another typical political monopoly is those for the supply of electricity, water or telecommunications. This last kind is often granted to state companies and encourages them to invest in areas that are helpful to the country and that normal capitalist (profit making) companies might not invest in. This is why it is important to have a Universal Service Fund when such monopoly rights are removed!
Economic monopolies come about when scarce natural resources come under the control of a company (or companies) who agree on the price. In most cases such economic monopolies could have been prevented had it been foreseen.
Trading monopolies come about when a company has ownership of subsidiaries that compete in the retail market in competition with companies that purchase its services wholesale. They are thus able to "share costs".
Government Policy on Monopolies
How does the man on the street react to monopolies or competition? Most of us agree that competition is a good thing in business as it brings about lower prices. Yet the same people would agree with me, the Zimbabweans are unfairly bringing down the wages or salaries we earn. This is where, dependent upon where we stand in relation to the practice or industry, our standpoints are developed.
The question is then, when is it acceptable to have a monopoly. The answer must be: When it can be regulated by Government.
Normally competition provides effective regulation. However, when a monopoly has too high prices, a competitor might build its own infrastructure, for example its own electricity or telephone lines next to the existing infrastructure. So we have to accept a policy of "monopoly-accepted" as a necessary feature for the public regulation of rates. We accept in Namibia that these industries are those that need expensive, permanent and use public areas (roads, electricity lines, telephone lines, etc.).
Conclusion
Thus it is in the interest of country to have monopolies in respect of the development and maintenance of the infrastructure. However, competition must be allowed in the provision of services that use it. Thus, to prevent the third type of monopoly, namely a trading monopoly, we cannot allow these state monopolies from selling directly to the public.
To use but one example, Telecom should become two separate companies. One, the owner of the physical infrastructure should continue to be the partner of government to ensure the roll-out of access to all Namibians (including receiving government funding where necessary). The second company must be a commercial company using the infrastructure at the same prices as its competitors and being able to sell directly to the commercial and individual customer.
For further reading see: "Modern Economic Problems" - Frank Albert Fetter, Professor of Economics, Princeton University, 1916
Keep you cell number - change your network
Number Portability
Most countries around the world have opened their telecommunications markets to competition, which has accelerated the deployment of telecommunications services more quickly and cost-effectively than past monopolies have achieved.
Some of these liberalisation efforts are being driven by regulations that call for number portability. For example, the European Union (EU) Universal Service and Users' Rights Directive (2002/22/EC), Article 30 - effective since July 2003 - imposes on all EU member states the following obligations:
Member states shall ensure that all subscribers of publicly available telephone services, including mobile services, who so request can retain their number(s) independently of the undertaking providing the service:
" o In the case of geographic numbers, at a specific location; and
" o In the case of non-geographic numbers, at any location.
As consumers we have must have the choice of which service provider we want to use. Most cellular and telephone subscribers however do not wish to lose their present number and therefore stay with the present provider. One of the toughest responsibilities facing the regulators in the Namibian telecom markets involves modernising our national numbering policies, numbering plans, and dialling plans.
We have to establish a numbering policy that provides a legal, legislative, and regulatory basis for competition. Then, our regulator must decide on numbering and dialling schemes, services, technologies, and billing and tariff methods that support its chosen numbering policy.
Lastly, it must also establish a fair, neutral office for numbering administration.
(I have heard the argument of the costs of implementing such a system – this however is always only the argument of the company with the biggest client base.)
The Namibia Consumer Protection Group welcomes number portability for ushering in greater freedom of choice, spurring competition and encouraging technological innovation. LNP removes barriers to switching and provides consumers with a greater choice of carriers and the convenience of keeping their existing numbers. It benefits the ratepayer, the consumer.Whether they have switched cell phone carriers or not, customers have already started reaping the benefits of lower prices and attractive packages offered by wireless carriers as inducements to keep customers from switching.
That’s the benefit of freedom of choice and competition.
Most countries around the world have opened their telecommunications markets to competition, which has accelerated the deployment of telecommunications services more quickly and cost-effectively than past monopolies have achieved.
Some of these liberalisation efforts are being driven by regulations that call for number portability. For example, the European Union (EU) Universal Service and Users' Rights Directive (2002/22/EC), Article 30 - effective since July 2003 - imposes on all EU member states the following obligations:
Member states shall ensure that all subscribers of publicly available telephone services, including mobile services, who so request can retain their number(s) independently of the undertaking providing the service:
" o In the case of geographic numbers, at a specific location; and
" o In the case of non-geographic numbers, at any location.
As consumers we have must have the choice of which service provider we want to use. Most cellular and telephone subscribers however do not wish to lose their present number and therefore stay with the present provider. One of the toughest responsibilities facing the regulators in the Namibian telecom markets involves modernising our national numbering policies, numbering plans, and dialling plans.
We have to establish a numbering policy that provides a legal, legislative, and regulatory basis for competition. Then, our regulator must decide on numbering and dialling schemes, services, technologies, and billing and tariff methods that support its chosen numbering policy.
Lastly, it must also establish a fair, neutral office for numbering administration.
(I have heard the argument of the costs of implementing such a system – this however is always only the argument of the company with the biggest client base.)
The Namibia Consumer Protection Group welcomes number portability for ushering in greater freedom of choice, spurring competition and encouraging technological innovation. LNP removes barriers to switching and provides consumers with a greater choice of carriers and the convenience of keeping their existing numbers. It benefits the ratepayer, the consumer.Whether they have switched cell phone carriers or not, customers have already started reaping the benefits of lower prices and attractive packages offered by wireless carriers as inducements to keep customers from switching.
That’s the benefit of freedom of choice and competition.
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