Metro Ring to boost economic growth
A Pan-African technology group - Liquid Intelligent Technologies – has announced the completion of the Gaborone Metro Ring.
Gaborone Metro Ring is a world-class, high-capacity, high-speed, and secure telecommunication network that will empower local businesses, providing a huge boost to Botswana’s economic growth.
Odirile Tamajobe, the Managing Director for Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana hailed the completion of the project as a huge milestone in the country’s digital transformation, which will strengthen Botswana’s economy and empower its efforts to foster trade and the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Today we see the launch of the first phase of the Metro Ring, which will bring with it lower tariffs for local and international calls and data products, making communication more accessible to businesses, and fostering growth and productivity,” Tamajobe told a press conference last week in Gaborone.
The press conference was preceded by a press tour of the company’s fibre network connection. This world-class, cutting-edge telecommunications network will revolutionise the business landscape in Botswana while bolstering the country’s position as a growing economic hub on the African continent, Tamajobe boasted.
The Metro Ring is being rolled out in two phases and aims to benefit hundreds of businesses in its initial phase, with further connections planned for phase two.
According to the MD, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana’s vision is to provide infrastructure and connect Batswana to cheap internet across the country.
“We are a business we will take our services where there is demand. If we are not able to build we will collaborate,” Tamajobe said, but declined to be drawn into discussing how much was invested in the Gaborone Metro Ring.
He was however, adamant that the launch of the first phase will reduce tariffs for local and international data products, making it more accessible to small and medium businesses that have previously been disadvantaged as compared to the larger enterprises.
Specifically targeting high-density areas of Gaborone, this project is forecast to revolutionise telecommunications and support the surging demand for high-speed internet as an increasing number of local businesses continue their digital transformation journeys.
Over 100 businesses stand to benefit from the Metro Ring in this initial phase, with more connections planned for Phase 2.
“As more and more people migrate to online platforms for their day-to-day needs, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana is committed to meeting the growing connectivity requirements of Batswana. “We believe that a digitally connected Botswana will unlock immense opportunities for individuals and businesses alike,” Tamajobe said.
He added that collaboration between the government and the private sector has been vital to the success of many African economies, and the successful implementation of the Metro Ring is a showcase of what can be done when the public and private sectors work together in advancing technology for the benefit of Batswana.
Speaking at the same event, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA)’s Acting CEO, Aaron Nyelesi buttressed the value of infrastructure development in growing the telecommunications sector in Botswana.
He revealed that mobile penetration in Botswana is at 188 percent, while internet penetration is at 121 percent. The challenge, he said, remains with landlines which are at only five percent penetration.
“Botswana has done fairly well on technology penetration,” he revealed.
Following the launch of the Gaborone Metro Ring, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana released a press statement noting that increased access to high-speed fibre connectivity is critical to improving not just telecommunication services for businesses and individuals but will also bring about substantial social and economic benefits.
By providing an extensive and efficient telecommunication network, this project plays a vital role in the growth and expansion plan of the region, the press statement read.
“It will also generate employment opportunities and contribute to the overall development and expansion of the national economy.”