BTCL to go “copper-free”

In demand: Thieves frequently target copper cables, costing BTCL millions and inconveniencing customers
In demand: Thieves frequently target copper cables, costing BTCL millions and inconveniencing customers

The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) wants to go completely “copper free” in Gaborone, Orapa and Jwaneng by the end of the next financial year, as cable theft continues to plague its operations and bottom line.

The BTCL posted a 23% drop in pretax profits for the year to March 2023, blaming the drop on the replacement costs for stolen copper cables as well as once-off restructuring expenses. Directors noted that the total impact of copper cable theft reached P56 million in the year, while restructuring costs were pegged at P55 million.

Officials commenting in the Corporation’s annual report released this week said the investment in fibre rollouts to replace the legacy copper networks, would be significantly stepped up going forward, under the group’s revised strategy.

Editor's Comment
Bravo police for prompt action

It is also hurting that whilst we all know that the Botswana Police Service (BPS) is charged functionally with the duties to investigate all forms of crime, some locals have resorted to taking the law into their own hands. It is very wrong to do that. There is also a possibility that one may wrongfully take the life of a person in the process, unless it is a justifiable case of self-defence. Recently, in the city of Francistown, some locals found...

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