05 Oct 2015

The Minister  of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo says Batswana stand to benefit from the new public Wi-Fi hotspots tagged Botswana Hotspots.

The hotspots have been established at strategic locations in Gaborone including Government enclave, Princess Marina Hospital, the bus rank, airport and shopping malls.

Launching the Wi-Fi hotspots at the Gaborone Bus Rank recently, Mr Mabeo said the project commenced in April and covers Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, Francistown, Maun and Kasane.

The project, he added, would be rolled out to other major towns and villages for the next three years. The minister said Botswana was making strides in mainstreaming access and use of the Internet in the country.

He added that the public hotspots were a game changer in the ICT industry because they ushered the country into reliable broadband network. “We have been struggling before with Internet speed and I can assure you that with the hotspots, the public would be able to download 300 megabites (MB) per second, and I am informed its six thebe per MB,” hsaid.

Minister Mabeo stated that Wi-Fi hotspots were switched on at places with high density in Gaborone. He encouraged the public to embrace ICT, adding that it improved information sharing and positioned Botswana as a globally competitive nation.

The minister also said the hotspots would bring business opportunities for techno savvy youth to tap into the ICT industry and fight unemployment.

He commended Botswana Fibre Network (BOFINet) for establishing the hotspots and further challenged them to expand the infrastructure to other places in Botswana.

In his remarks, BOFINet board chairperson, Mr Ratsela Mooketsi said Botswana Hotspots stimulated Internet usage and expanding broadband network in the country.

Mr Mooketsi also said it provided a platform for innovation at low prices for consumers.

He added that they intend to cover most of the country in the next three years to facilitate every Motswana to have Internet access wherever they were.

Furthermore, he noted that the hotspots played a big role in the tourism sector hence their connections in Kasane.

He implored Batswana to use the hotspots, adding that it would make their lives easier. ENDS