03 Sep 2024

Botswana Fiber Network (BoFiNet) infrastructure is capable of providing more online services to support government, the private sector and other sectors of the economy to improve service delivery.

BoFiNet has already played a significant role to bring services online through the e-government services platform and other platforms to improve service delivery throughout the economy.

BoFiNet Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Mpho Koolese said when briefing the media in Gaborone on Monday, on their milestones in the 10years of existence.

He said BoFiNet enabled online services which made them accessible throughout the country

He noted that when BoFiNet was formed there were about 10 independent service providers in the country, and that the number had since grown to over 100 providers. 

The acting CEO added that they were bringing services closer to customers nationwide.

He said BoFiNet had through SmartBots connected 144 villages and towns across the country with fast and reliable network in dikgotla, schools and health facilities. 

Mr Koolese said their fiber network was covering over 200 gazetted villages and that 297 were still to be covered, adding that the infrastructure facilitated accessibility and service delivery.

He also said Upictv had contributed to the growth of the creative industry, as it offered local artistes the platform to showcase their content locally and internationally. 

He noted that the online subscription-based platform had created opportunities for over 5 000 individuals and that over 90 local titles were on the platform. 

On other issues, the acting CEO said vandalism of their fiber cables was worrisome, and that they had joined forces with other industry players and law enforcement agencies to address the challenge.

BoFiNet  commercial executive officer, Mr Keabetswe Segole said they made Internet services available at residential areas. 

He also praised the impact that Smartbots has created, saying millions were accessing the platform locally and internationally. 

“The quality of the network is also remarkable, and you can access it anywhere in the country,” he said.

Mr Segole said BoFiNet offered competitive prices to service providers and that Botswana’s Internet was the second fastest in Africa.

However, he said there was still room for improvement as their aim was to be the best in the industry in terms of quality and price. Ends