10 Nov 2020

The government, through public enterprise, Botswana Fibre Networks Limited (BOFINET) continues to expand national coverage of Information Communication Technology (ICT) with 206 out of 399 localities connected to high-speed open access network.

Giving the State-Of-Nation Address in Parliament on November 9, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said government was committed to broadening access to digital technology, which he said had been underlined by Botswana’s inclusion in the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2030 Vision Leaders Platform.

“To date, BOFINET has a national fibre coverage in excess of 10 600 km countrywide and is in the process of connecting cities, major towns and villages, which would also reduce the digital divide in the country,” Dr Masisi said.

More than 20 villages across with country including Kang, Tshane, Hukuntsi, Letlhakeng, Khudumelapye, Takatokwane , Charles Hill and Ncojane would be provided with broadband connectivity through optic fibres, Dr Masisi revealed.

Also, a new transmitter had been installed to enable access to broadcast services to a total of 8 443 people residing in Sojwe, Shadishadi, Lephephe, Otse, Boatlaname and Leologane, and three other transmitters would be commissioned at Salajwe, Takatokwane and Malwelwe resulting in a further 18 000 people accessing broadcast signals.

“As part of efforts to expand access to broadband international services, government and the private sector have started rolling out the Fibre to the Business and Fibre to he Home projects in Gaborone.  

The Gabz Free Wifi initiative launched recently intends to provide free daily one hour per user connectivity in ten public spaces in the city,” Dr Masisi said.

The President also noted the recent launch of an Internet Protocol Television service in order to nurture job creation through the arts while exposing domestic culture to the world, and that a youth channel, NOW TV, which was launched in November 2019 is currently available online. Ends