Mobile, internet tariffs to be slashed

If implemented, the move would enable the use and easy access of ICT services for government, the private sector and individuals. Minister of Transport and Communication, Nonofo Molefhi, last week said that negotiations are at an advanced stage, but stressed that there is a lot that still needs to be done because the process involves various stakeholders.

According to the 2013 Global Information Technology Report in which Botswana slipped seven places down the rankings, the country's mobile phone and Internet charges are still comparably higher than other middle-income countries.Out of 144 countries surveyed in the rankings, affordability of mobile and Internet services significantly contributed to Botswana's decline in the Network Readiness Index(NRI). Mobile phone tariffs' affordability ranked (101), fixed broadband Internet tariffs ranked (104) and Internet and telephone competition ranked at 112.