22 May 2013

In an effort to make prices affordable to every Motswana, the Ministry of Transport and Communications through Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) intends regulating prices that telecommunication service providers charge consumers.

Speaking at the World Telecommunications and Information Society day themed “ICTs and Improving road safety”, held in Shorobe, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said in this day and age, telecommunication services were essential to people’s everyday lives, hence the need to regulate them.

“We also need to ensure that the use of these services is not a health hazard to people using them,” he said. Mr Molefhi said BOCRA’s responsibilities include making sure that telecommunication service providers were complying with set safety standards.

“As such, before licensing of mobile operators, studies are done first to make sure that towers erected are not a health hazard,” said Mr Molefhi. The minister said services such as land applications and veterinary services amongst others would be accessed online in an attempt to take essential services to people in remote areas using telecommunication services.

“These Kitsong centres put up in villages will be used for such as this will also help with travelling costs,” he said. He said even though government intends rolling out telecommunication services to Batswana, caution should also be exercised as some would use it for criminal purposes.

“Some will take advantage of the fact that other people still lack the necessary knowledge when it comes to technology hence we need to guard against such people,” he said. Mr Molefhi indicated that they continued to draw up legislation with the aim of dealing with such people.

He informed residents of Shorobe, Matsaudi, Matlapana, Toteng, Sehithwa, Mababe and Sankoyo that they would get resources that would enable them to access telecommunication services.

Minister Molefhi said his ministry was considering introducing simulation services that would enable learner drivers to drive vehicles before going for road tests. “We also need to have services that will teach pedestrians road signs so that they know and obey traffic signs along with other motorists,” he concluded.

Stakeholders such as Orange, Mascom, be Mobile, BOCRA and Botswana Post showcased their services to the people.

Residents of Shorobe and surrounding villages had the chance to interact with the staff and learn how to access these services, with people hoping that after the event some of the services such as internet access could soon be available in Shorobe.  ENDS