BTCL rolls out digital transformation in rural villages
Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTCL) in partnership with the UASF project and other stakeholders have launched improved quality telecommunication services which covers 18 villages. The project entailed upgrading 3G base stations to 4G to facilitate uptake of data services. BTCL managing Director, Anthony Masunga stated, “10 years ago in Chobokwane, BTC in partnership with the Government, launched the Nteletsa II project. This was to provide telecommunications services to previously under-served areas like the Ghanzi/Kgalagadi. Under this project, BTC brought 2G network access which enabled the use of mobile telephone services to more than 80 villages. As part of the Nteletsa project, BTC built 149 Kitsong Centers across Botswana. We are back (here) again having to upgrade the network.”Masunga further elaborated their inclusive ambition.“With the collaborative effort with different stakeholders on the UASF project, we have thus made it our mandate to promote development, network access, opportunities and growth using telecommunications services in the unreached villages. Through this project, quality telecommunication services have been brought to the Ghanzi-Kgalagadi area covering 18 villages and benefiting 22 schools.” said Masunga. He also stated that the project is a natural extension of their mandate and capabilities. He explains that it tackles their strategy of growth and transformation to deliver sustainable value to different stakeholders. “In October 2017, this project started and was completed 30th September 2018. We are proud to announce that BTC have commissioned all the 22 sites and they are live. Residents of Karakubis and Ghanzi district now have access to quality voice and data services. BTC is proud to be part of this project as it helped us extend our footprint and ensure that more Batswana live connected, ”concluded Masunga