20 Dec 2020

The implementation of the National Broadband Strategy (NBS) is currently ongoing and continues to avail high speed, high capacity connectivity to Batswana.

Giving an update on the provision of internet in all homesteads in Botswana, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane told Parliament that the provision of Internet in homesteads in Botswana was guided by the (NBS) which was approved in July 2018.

He said in line with the strategy, government had prioritised the provision of broadband connectivity to key strategic areas that facilitate socio-economic activities. 

“The prioritised strategic areas are commercial, industrial, civic and community areas in urban and major villages. So far, broadband connectivity has been deployed in strategic areas in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Kasane, Bobonong, Tsabong, Palapye, Lobatse, Mogoditshane, Serowe and Selebi Phikwe under the Local Access Project,” he said. He noted that during NDP 11, the project would rollout broadband connectivity to other villages.

He said by connecting these localities, government continued to show dedication and commitment to bridge the digital divide and ensure all Batswana had access to broadband connectivity.

He said government continued to engage with relevant stakeholders to remove barriers that may hinder Batswana from enjoying the connectivity deployed for them. He said the current focus was on ensuring that internet connectivity was reasonably priced.  “Government, through the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is constantly engaging with stakeholders to spur competition in the ICT sector in order to bring cost of service down. The result of such engagement has been the tariff adjustment that was announced by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) mid-year. We acknowledge that the adjustment was not adequate, but was a necessary step in the right direction,” he said. 

Mr Tsogwane said he was grateful to the commitment shown by the private sector in complementing efforts to provide Batswana with broadband connectivity. 

He said telecommunication operators had been relentless in extending mobile broadband connectivity to cities, towns and major villages. He said this resulted in the number of Batswana with access to internet steadily rising over the years. 

“Similarly, BOCRA through the Universal Service and Access Fund, continues to provide broadband connectivity to Batswana in remote areas and along our highways. As I have already mentioned, as government we are grateful for all these efforts as they are aligned to the objective of providing universal access to internet connectivity. These efforts make internet connectivity affordable to all,” he added.

He was responding to a question from Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, who wanted an update on the provision of internet in all homesteads in Botswana and clear timelines for projects that were still to take off with the expected number of jobs to be created. ends