Workers currently employed by the two bodies will switch to the new organisation, ensuring that there are no job losses, officials have said.Last year, parliamentarians repealed the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Acts replacing them with BOCRA's enabling legislation, the broader Communications Regulatory Authority Act. Prior to the new law, the Telecommunications Act established the Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA), while the Broadcasting Act empowered the National Broadcasting Board (NBB).
On Wednesday, BTA spokesperson, Aaron Nyelesi explained the logic behind BOCRA's establishment. "These (legislative) changes recognise that modern telecommunications networks/platforms carry voice, data and other ICTs the same way," he told BusinessWeek. "Therefore the distinction between voice and data on modern networks is no longer pronounced to warrant separate regulators," he added. According to Nyelesi, from April 1, BOCRA will assume responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications, internet and ICT, commercial radio and television communications and broadcasting, postal services and related matters.
