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MTC MEDIA RELEASE
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MTC Holds Supplier Workshop In Windhoek
WINDHOEK, 18 OCTOBER 2011 - Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Namibia’s leading
mobile operator is holding a Suppliers Workshop on Friday, 21 October at the Polytechnic Hotel
School for current and prospective suppliers of goods and services that the company procures
on an ongoing basis.
MTC Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer Tim Ekandjo said the workshop is an
annual event which is aimed at educating MTC suppliers on the company’s procurement
processes
“We have realized that a lot of suppliers would like to participate in our procurement process
but have no clue where to start and those who are already involved in the process do not know
how to satisfy MTC’s needs and requirements,” Ekandjo said. He added the one-day workshop
will also help to clarify any misunderstandings and miscommunication issues that may exist
between MTC and the suppliers, thus making the whole process more open and transparent.
According to Ekandjo, the expected outcomes are mainly about how the suppliers are expected
to align to MTC’s procurement needs and requirements. “We also listen to our suppliers and
make justifiable changes to the process if needed. The workshop also serves as a networking
opportunity for the suppliers,” Ekandjo emphasized.
Ekandjo said MTC is committed to working with Namibian suppliers for all its operational
business requirements. The company uses an open or invited tender process to contract both
small and large suppliers for its vast operational necessities. “MTC is dedicated to supporting
the local industry for all goods and services; however, our suppliers must conform to our
internal quality standards and commercial requirements. We are sensitive to the local supply
chain and we are committed to working closely with local suppliers,” Ekandjo said.
MTC has three supplier categories, namely general suppliers for products and services, unique
sole suppliers and specialised suppliers. The general supply of products that are not industry
specific, such as stationary, groceries and promotional items, are supplied to MTC by suppliers,
of which 85% is fully Namibian.
Specialised suppliers of services related to more complex technical operations are required
mostly in the Base Station Tower (BTS) area of Infrastructure and BTS Maintenance. Namibian
suppliers to MTC in this category currently stands at 98%.
The specialised supplier of products for the industry, such as the supply of 3G devices and
handset generators, is supplied by a total of 49% Namibian suppliers, while general supply of
services that are not industry specific, such as cleaning services, security services and the supply
of accommodation, stands at a 99.6% Namibian supplier status.
A unique sole supplier is defined as a supplier providing a unique solution, mainly technological
and IT. Thirty-eight percent of unique sole suppliers to MTC are Namibian. These category
suppliers are long-term contracts, which will only be changed should the supplier or MTC
default on the contract.
MTC currently makes use of the NPPC accreditation certificate to determine the BEE status of
Namibian companies.
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ABOUT MTC:
MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Limited) was established in 1995 as a joint venture between
Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings (NPTH), Telia and Swedfund. During May 2004,
NPTH concluded a deal that saw it hold 100 per cent of the shares in MTC by acquiring the 49
per cent held by Telia Overseas AB and Swedfund International AB. During 2006 the sale of 34%
of MTC shares to Portugal Telecom was concluded for N$1.34 billion while the Namibian
government retains the remainder of the stake through NPTH.
MTC currently covers 98 per cent of the population of nearly 2 million citizens with more than
650 base stations and repeaters and offers a dual band 900/1800MHZ. The company also
expanded its cellular coverage to all major towns in Namibia, including the major arterial roads.
The Company’s 3G HSDPA+ Network allows for a download speed of up 7.2 Mbps in Namibia’s
major towns. It further runs two modern MSC’s (mobile switching centre) in Windhoek and
Oshakati with capacity to accommodate rapidly rising number of customers of over 1.6 million
active users. MTC also operates the only full service customer contact centre in Namibia dealing
with service queries ranging from telephony, sms, fax, GPRS, data, voicemail and 3G/HSDPA. A
staff of 367 persons serves a diverse market of both pre- and postpaid subscribers.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Abelene Heuer
Corporate Communications Practitioner
[email protected]
061-2802000