beMOBILE Spends P90m To Boost Network

Chakalisa Dube | Monday June 1, 2015 15:49

beMOBILE is a 100% subsidiary of BTCL. The event was themed, “ Value creation through innovative partnerships.’ “ The investment is geared at improving customer experience. We not only added more sites but improved network capability to handle next generation technologies,” said Taylor. The CEO added, “Significant investment is planned in our mobile networks for the year 2015/16 for further 3G enhancement and 4G mobile roll-out.” Taylor said the developments are part of BTCL’s efforts to encourage economic growth and support businesses in the country as well making sure that the firm stays competitive in the mobile network industry. He further explained that the company was also working on securing funds to finance underwriting, updating of its prospectus, share split and valuation, needed for the company to list in the domestic bourse before it can announce the exact date for listing at the stock exchange. BTCL is expected to list on the domestic bourse in the middle of the 2015-2016 fiscal year, according to Taylor. The CEO also noted that the company has decided to pass the management of its 148-kitsong centres to the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) for efficient running. “ The transition to BNYC management is still ongoing,” he highlighted without giving the final date for the handover of the centers. Kitsong centres are part BTCL’s Nteletsa II project initiated a few years ago. The centres that are placed in various rural parts of the country offers services such as selling airtime, providing Internet and photocopying amongst others. This year’s trade fair has attracted 182 exhibitors from 133 exhibitors last year. BOCCIM CEO Maria Machailo Ellis stated the increasing number of exhibitors at the fair, shows that the fair is benefiting business. “Some of the businesses we regularly interact with have indicated that they have experienced significant growth as a result of exhibiting at the fair,” she said.