Botswana falls in ICT rankings
Friday, April 17, 2015
Internet tariffs are still relatively high in Botswana. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE
The report stated that out of the 148 countries that had participated in the survey, Botswana has slipped one spot down to position 104 although it maintained a quality score rating of 3.4, which was the same as last year.
Whilst the communication rates have been reducing in recent years, the rankings indicate that tariffs are still comparatively very high and Internet and telephony competition is still not among the best.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...