Article: Botswana telecommunications limp a decade after policy changes

Even though the market continues to develop innovative broadband, competition in the market has remained dull. Competitors do not aggressively seek to increase their market shares and revenue, hence, first-mover Mascom, continues to dominate the market. Between 2014 and 2016, Mascom owned close to 55% of the market, while Orange owned around 28% and beMOBILE 17% on average. 

The policy brief highlights:
• Botswana’s mobile operators have become comfortable in their respective market segments at the cost of competition.
 
• At 59% internet penetration, Botswana’s people do not access the internet as much as regional counterparts due to high mobile broadband costs — ranked 11 out of 15 SADC countries
 
• The national ICT policies focussed on supply side issues in the wholesale market to little avail
 
• There needs to be a comprehensive ICT sector review undertaken to assess the performance of market actors
 
• A national broadband policy is further required to enhance the sectoral benefits and knock-ons effects of trends in the ICT sector and their adoption by end-users.

Download full policy brief here .