NuRAN Wireless (NUR.C) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MTN Namibia to deploy their network as a service (NAAS) model to rural and suburban sites in Namibia.
Specifically, the terms of the deal have NuRAN setting up a minimum of 150 rural and suburban networking sites in Namibia in the next two years. This means wireless and internet connectivity for some of the most off-the-grid places in the world, with cash rolling back courtesy of their NuRAN Revenue Share NAAS model.
“We are excited to be partnering with NuRAN in this very important project. At MTN Namibia, we believe that everyone deserves the benefit of a modern connected life therefore our strategy is to bring connectivity to all people throughout Namibia and specifically those less connected like the rural and suburban areas of the country. This is the beginning of a growing relationship with NuRAN and MTN Namibia as we embrace this massive milestone initiative. This is the beginning of an even greater infrastructure deployment in the country providing unprecedented communications services in Namibia. These projects will also create opportunities for local small businesses to partner with MTN as we continue to grow our footprint,” said Elia Tsouros, managing director, MTN Namibia.
The future of commerce is the internet and if you don’t have access to it, then you’ll be left behind. That’s true on every level from the smallest of municipalities to the largest of supranational territories.
There’s no point in rehashing the circumstances that led large parts of Africa into its present economic and social state—they’re really not hard to find if you’re committed to understanding why NuRAN’s mission is a worthwhile one. Needless to say, this is a keen story with a company based in the west bringing technology to a continent in dire need of it.
That’s NuRAN’s gig, though.
They supply mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions with the core of their operation being the radio access network (RAN) network, and other associated backhaul products, which drop the total cost of ownership, and create more options and opportunities for both established and emerging mobile network operators. These range from isolated rural communities to offshore platforms.
“We are extremely pleased to have concluded this MOU with MTN Namibia. Adding Namibia to the NuRAN portfolio and including 4G connectivity as part of the roll out and the first contract for the Nuran XG product is another major step towards achieving our goal of 10,000 sites. Namibia is one of the wealthier countries in Africa resulting in this deployment having an Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”) of almost double the average rural sites elsewhere on the continent. Bringing connectivity to the unconnected is at the heart of our business strategy and the benefits extend beyond communication including e-commerce, education and healthcare. We are very proud to be working with MTN on another important project” said Francis Letourneau, CEO at NuRAN Wireless.
Let’s have a look at the chart.
NuRAN Wireless is presently down $0.06 on the day and trading at $1.19.
—Joseph Morton
