BTC pushes digital transformation

The Managing Director of Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) Anthony Masunga says the company is positioning itself as the leading technological advancement group to deliver quality telecommunications services to the customers.

Masunga made the remarks on Thursday during the official launch of Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite – the first of its kind in Botswana’s telecommunications space.

He said BTC is committed to giving high quality services to the users with regards to internet and network dispensation, hence corresponding to the purpose of the company as stated in their Act.

“The 1980 Parliament Act, which prompted the establishment of BTC, has core amongst BTC purpose being to provide high quality technological services to the customers. This new technology is key not only in positioning BTC as the hub for technology but also makes Botswana at large the centre for digitalisation,” he added.

Masunga further said the new data centre will be crucial in improving network coverage across the country; reaching to the far remote areas hence bridging in the digital divide that exists between the urban and far rural areas.

He said the existing technological solutions that the latter offers such as the mobile broadband, fixed broadband will be effectively upgraded, courtesy of the system.

“The VSAT which is named Sentlhaga due to its capability to host numerous technological platforms, without doubt is going to give improved access to our users in terms of network or internet consumption. It will also provide network and internet access to the various social media platforms such as facebook; twitter and Netflix hence improved BTC consumption by our users,” he said.

Masunga declared that BTC was keen on transforming the economy of the country through high advanced technology solutions.

“This is ultimately a great milestone that without doubt can be cherished because this system is only here in Botswana and South Africa in the region so far- two similar data centres are in SA while the other one is right here in Botswana,” Masunga charged.

Masunga said it is not for the first time BTC is taking a bold move of such magnitude into the digitalisation space, reflecting back that the company made a similar significant stride in 1994 when it first transformed from the analogue to the digital space.

The Minister of Transport and Communications Dorcas Makgato applauded BTC for its efforts in pursuit of digital improvement, saying the new technology is crucial for the pursuit of a knowledge-based economy.

Makgato said it was important to harness ICT infrastructural development, saying the government has adopted the Maitlamo Policy back in 2007, with one of its pillars being to enable the erection of the suitable ICT infrastructure.

Minister Makgato challenged other private sector entities to emulate the BTC’s efforts of harnessing innovation and technological development as this bridges the digital divide gap that could be existing between Botswana and the rest of the developed world.