PowerCom
PowerCom is a Namibian telecommunications infrastructure company and wholly owned subsidiary of Telecom Namibia.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
PowerCom (Pty) Ltd is a Namibian telecommunications infrastructure provider owned by Telecom Namibia. The company originated in 2007 as Cell One, a licensed mobile-network operator created to challenge the dominant position of Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) in Namibia. Cell One entered the market with competitive pricing and investment in a separate mobile network, but it struggled to match MTC’s customer base, coverage, and established market position. In 2009, the business was acquired by Telecel Globe, an Egyptian-owned telecommunications group associated with Orascom Telecom, and was rebranded as Leo. Leo continued operating as a challenger mobile network, but substantial investment did not produce long-term commercial viability. Telecom Namibia subsequently agreed to acquire the PowerCom entity trading as Leo. The transaction involved a Sale of Shares Agreement signed on 2 March 2012 with Guinea Fowl Investments Two (Pty) Ltd, PowerCom (Pty) Ltd, Investec Bank Ltd, and Nedbank Ltd. Regulatory approvals were obtained from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia on 11 October 2012 and from the Namibia Competition Commission on 27 April 2012. The acquisition was completed on 29 November 2012. Telecom Namibia acquired the company’s entire equity interest for a nominal N$2.00 while assuming approximately N$180 million in debt obligations. After the acquisition, Leo’s mobile operations were integrated into Telecom Namibia’s mobile business, which was later branded tn mobile. The PowerCom legal entity was retained and repositioned as an infrastructure subsidiary rather than continuing as a separate consumer-facing mobile operator. Its post-acquisition role has centered on the construction, ownership, management, and leasing of telecommunications infrastructure across Namibia. PowerCom operates under a Class Network Facilities Licence issued by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia under the Communications Act No. 8 of 2009. Its infrastructure activities include leasing space on telecommunications towers to mobile operators, broadcasters, transmission companies, and other communications providers. It also offers managed rooftop services, allowing communications equipment to be hosted on strategically located urban buildings through arrangements with property owners. In addition, the company supports third-party co-location on elevated structures such as municipal water towers and utility infrastructure. The company’s current business model is therefore primarily business-to-business and infrastructure-oriented. Rather than competing directly for retail mobile subscribers under the former Cell One or Leo brands, PowerCom supports communications connectivity by providing physical sites and hosting capacity to network operators and other ICT users. Its positioning reflects the broader separation of telecommunications network infrastructure from retail connectivity services, with PowerCom serving as a tower and site-leasing platform within the Telecom Namibia group.
History
PowerCom was established in Namibia in 2007 in the context of efforts to introduce competition into the country’s mobile telecommunications market. It initially operated under the Cell One brand after receiving a licence to become Namibia’s second mobile operator. The launch challenged the prevailing market dominance of Mobile Telecommunications Company, commonly known as MTC. Cell One pursued an aggressive commercial entry, using competitive pricing and investment in its own network infrastructure to attract subscribers. The company faced significant difficulties, however. MTC had a substantial first-mover advantage, a larger customer base, and broader national coverage. These factors made it difficult for the new operator to achieve sustainable scale. In 2009, Cell One was acquired by Telecel Globe, an Egyptian-owned telecommunications company associated with Orascom Telecom. The business was subsequently rebranded as Leo and continued operating as a mobile network challenger. Leo received further investment but did not achieve lasting commercial viability. Telecom Namibia later pursued the acquisition of the PowerCom entity trading as Leo. On 2 March 2012, Telecom Namibia entered into a Sale of Shares Agreement involving Guinea Fowl Investments Two (Pty) Ltd, PowerCom (Pty) Ltd, Investec Bank Ltd, and Nedbank Ltd. The transaction required regulatory clearance. The Namibia Competition Commission approved it on 27 April 2012, while the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia approved it on 11 October 2012. The acquisition was finalized on 29 November 2012. Telecom Namibia purchased 100 percent of PowerCom’s equity for a nominal N$2.00 and assumed debt obligations reported at approximately N$180 million. Following completion, the company’s mobile operations were merged into Telecom Namibia’s mobile division. That division was later associated with the tn mobile brand, while the PowerCom corporate entity was retained for a different role. From 2013 onward, PowerCom was repositioned as Telecom Namibia’s telecommunications infrastructure subsidiary. Its activities shifted away from direct retail mobile competition and toward the development and commercialization of physical network assets. The company constructs, manages, and leases telecommunications towers and related infrastructure throughout Namibia. PowerCom’s infrastructure services include leasing tower capacity to mobile operators, broadcasters, transmission businesses, and other ICT providers. It also provides managed rooftop services, in which communications equipment is hosted on selected urban buildings through agreements with property owners. A further service is third-party co-location, which allows communications equipment to be installed on elevated structures that are not conventional telecommunications towers, including municipal water towers and utility infrastructure. The company holds a Class Network Facilities Licence issued by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia under the Communications Act No. 8 of 2009. This regulatory status supports its role as a network-facilities provider. PowerCom’s current identity is consequently linked less to the former Cell One and Leo consumer brands than to the infrastructure layer of Namibia’s communications system. Within the Telecom Namibia group, it provides sites and hosting capacity that can be used by mobile, broadcasting, transmission, and other ICT operators.
- 2013
Repositioned as infrastructure subsidiary
[1]The PowerCom entity was retained after Leo’s mobile operations were integrated into Telecom Namibia and was assigned an infrastructure-focused role.
- 2012
Sale agreement with Telecom Namibia
[1]Telecom Namibia signed an agreement to acquire the PowerCom entity trading as Leo.
- 2012
Acquisition approvals
[1]The Namibia Competition Commission and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia approved the transaction during 2012.
- 2012
Acquisition completed
[1]Telecom Namibia completed the purchase of PowerCom’s equity on 29 November 2012 while assuming the company’s debt obligations.
- 2009
Acquired and rebranded as Leo
[1]Telecel Globe acquired Cell One, which was subsequently rebranded as Leo.
- 2007
Established as Cell One
[1]PowerCom was established as Namibia’s second mobile operator and launched under the Cell One brand to introduce competition to the market.
Products and positioning
A Namibian business-to-business telecommunications infrastructure provider focused on tower ownership, site management, leasing, rooftop hosting, and co-location for mobile operators, broadcasters, transmission companies, and other ICT providers.
Telecommunications infrastructure
Telecommunications tower leasing
PowerCom leases space on telecommunications towers to mobile operators, broadcasters, transmission companies, and other ICT providers. The service enables customers to deploy communications equipment without independently developing every tower site, supporting network expansion and shared use of infrastructure across Namibia.
Telecommunications infrastructure
Managed rooftop services
The company hosts communications equipment on rooftops of strategically located urban buildings. These arrangements are developed with property owners and provide alternative elevated locations where conventional ground-based towers may be difficult or less practical to deploy.
Network co-location
Third-party co-location
PowerCom enables ICT operators to install equipment on alternative elevated structures, including municipal water towers and utility infrastructure. This service expands the range of sites available for communications deployment and supports shared use of existing structures.
Mobile telecommunications · 2007
Cell One mobile service
Cell One was the original consumer mobile brand associated with PowerCom. It launched in 2007 as Namibia’s second mobile operator, using competitive pricing and a separate network to challenge MTC. The brand was later replaced by Leo.
Mobile telecommunications · 2009
Leo mobile service
Leo was the mobile-network brand adopted after Telecel Globe acquired Cell One in 2009. The business remained a challenger operator but did not achieve long-term commercial viability. Its mobile operations were later integrated into Telecom Namibia’s mobile division.
Brand decisions
2013
Shift from mobile retailing to telecommunications infrastructureStrategyBackground
After Telecom Namibia integrated Leo’s mobile operations into its own mobile division, the PowerCom legal entity remained available for a separate group role.
Action taken
PowerCom was repositioned as Telecom Namibia’s infrastructure subsidiary, concentrating on the construction, management, leasing, and co-location of telecommunications sites.
Aftermath
The company’s operating identity became business-to-business infrastructure provision rather than direct competition for mobile subscribers under the Cell One or Leo brands.
2012
Telecom Namibia acquires PowerComM&ABackground
Leo had struggled to achieve sustainable commercial viability against Namibia’s established mobile operator. Telecom Namibia pursued the acquisition of the PowerCom entity trading as Leo after obtaining competition and telecommunications regulatory approvals.
Action taken
Telecom Namibia acquired 100 percent of PowerCom’s equity for a nominal N$2.00 and assumed approximately N$180 million in debt obligations. The transaction was completed on 29 November 2012.
Aftermath
Leo’s mobile operations were merged into Telecom Namibia’s mobile division, while PowerCom was retained and repurposed as an infrastructure subsidiary focused on towers, rooftops, and co-location.
Acquisition consideration and assumed debt. N$2.00 equity purchase price and approximately N$180 million in assumed debt (Transaction completed 29 November 2012)
Recent events
- 2013
PowerCom is repositioned as a telecommunications infrastructure subsidiary[1]
Other
Following the integration of Leo’s mobile activities into Telecom Namibia’s mobile division, the PowerCom entity was retained for tower, rooftop, and other telecommunications infrastructure operations.
- 2012
Telecom Namibia agrees to acquire PowerCom trading as Leo[1]
M&A
Telecom Namibia entered into an agreement to acquire the PowerCom entity operating under the Leo mobile brand, beginning the process that would transfer the business into Telecom Namibia ownership.
- 2012
Regulatory approvals obtained for PowerCom acquisition[1]
M&A · Regulation
The proposed acquisition received approval from the Namibia Competition Commission and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia during 2012.
- 2012
Telecom Namibia completes acquisition of PowerCom[1]
M&A
The transaction was completed on 29 November 2012, with Telecom Namibia acquiring all of PowerCom’s equity while assuming the company’s outstanding debt obligations.
Sources1 sources
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