SECTOR 2 Television Medium Television Stations State NBC TV Commercial Community Multichoice Namibia One Africa Trinity Broadcasting Network The NBC’s network of 58 transmitter sites countrywide is growing old and falling into disrepair, and this also limits people’s access to radio and television. “There are insufficient funds to maintain the transmitters, let alone replace them. People call in asking for repairs but no one responds. In some areas there is routine maintenance but in others there is not. This is not politically motivated. The NBC has limited funds.” Panellists felt that more could be done to promote access to community broadcasting. Most community broadcasters serve a geographical community, and are restricted from expanding their frequencies beyond their particular geographical area. Channel 7, on the other hand, serves a community of interest (Christians) and was allowed to set up transmitters countrywide. “Other community stations apply to increase their reach but they are told there are no frequencies left.” The advent of digital broadcasting should make more frequencies available. The “switch-over” to digital broadcasting is scheduled for the end of 2013. ICT’s Medium Private State Internet Africa Online M-Web (part-owned by the business arm of the ruling Swapo party) Namibnet I-Way (a subsidiary of the government-owned Telecom Namibia) Mobile telephony 30 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2011 Cell One MTC (Portugal Telecom owns 34% of the company, the rest is owned by the government’s Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings company)