Find Telecommunication expertise in Botswana

The telecommunications sector in Botswana is fairly undeveloped by world standards. Despite this the country has experienced increased mobile phone penetration following the turn of the century, with equilivant internet figures remaining low. Since the beginning of the 21st century the financial contribution of the telecommunication sector has been gradually decreasing, and in 2008 the sector contributed roughly 3% of the country’s total GDP.

The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC), established in 1980, is the main provider of telecommunication services in Botswana; the company offers fixed line telephone services as well as internet packages, and caters to the residential and business market. Another key telecommunications provider is Nextcom Telecom. Other providers of internet services include IBIS and Mega. There is a large mobile phone market in Botswana, with  providers including Mascom Wireless and Orange, as well as international mobile company Bee.

The BTC was also established as the state-run body responsible for the development and operation of Botswana’s telecommunications services. In 1996, the Telecommunications Act was amended, repealing the monopoly of BTC and introducing other service providers. Following the turn of the century the government made a further decision to reprivatise BTC. In 2008, the BTC Transition Act was passed in order to assist in the privatisation process. In 2012, BTC was converted from a state-owned company back into a public limited company, with shares sold off to the public. The company was renamed Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited.

The regulatory authority for the telecommunications sector is the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). BOCRA was established in 2013 following the passing of the Communications Regulatory Authority Act of 2012. BOCRA is responsible for the regulation of the entire communications sector in Botswana, including telecommunications, internet, and information and communications technologies (ICTs) as well as commercial radio and television broadcasting.

In 2007 the Government of Botswana approved a new ICT policy. The policy, known as Maitlamo, builds on Botswana’s National ICT Vision and Objectives that were developed in April 2004. As part of the Maitlamo policy Botswana worked on establishing community access centres throughout the country, providing citizens with access to ICTs and the internet. The policy further set targets to connect all communities with over 2,000 inhabitants to high speed networks by 2016.

Telecoms and Internet Service Providers organisations in Botswana
Africa Telecommunications
Botswana Telecommunications Authority
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation
Broadband Botswana Internet Ltd
Info Botswana Internet Services (IBIS)
Mascom Wireless
Mega
Nextcom
Orange
UUNET Botswana
Verizon Botswana Ltd

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