Botswana�s cellphone, internet services among poorest in the world

Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Monday April 28, 2014 11:22

 

Botswana ranks at the tail end in the mobile cellular phone tariffs, at no.125, and at no 137 in the Internet tariffs Sub Index.

In fact when it comes to affordability of this technology Botswana ranks no 142, out of 144 countries.

Botswana’s ambitious undersea fibre optic cable project started more than five years ago to transform internet and network connectivity is yet to be felt as the country continues to experience slow internet connections.

The report also reveals that Botswana ranks only no 121 in the individuals using Internet Sub Index.

The poor trend is also revealed in households with personal computers, where Botswana ranks no 109, and households with internet access, where Botswana is once again lowly ranked at no 110.

Using digital technology to do business in Botswana is also a key problem area where Botswana ranks among the lowest in the Business and Innovation Index which among others reveals that Botswana ranks no 135th in the no.of days to start a business sub index.

Botswana also comes out as a country which does little to invest in ICT at college level, with the latest report showing that Botswana ranks no 130 in the College Gross Enrolment Rate Sub Index.

Botswana’s well-known electricity problems see Botswana ranked no 124 in the Electricity Production Sub Index.

The report also reveals that most Botswana businesses are not using technology to enhance themselves. Botswana ranks only no 106 in Business Usage Sub Index, and no 120 in the Economic Impact Sub Index.