After 20 years of cellphone services, our fascination finally cools

The local mobile phone market is reaching saturation
The local mobile phone market is reaching saturation

On the 20th anniversary of the arrival of mobile phone services in Botswana, the telecomms regulator has released numbers showing that cellphone subscriptions are declining for the first time ever. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports

Natural churn, a term one would not unreasonably expect to be associated with dairy manufacturing, is responsible for recent statistics showing declining numbers of cellphone subscribers in Botswana. In most other countries, these numbers would be unremarkable, given the normal ebb and flow of the business cycle and the numerous variables that influence subscription figures, including wage growth, tariff levels and others.

Botswana is different.

Editor's Comment
Gov’t must rectify recognition of Khama as Kgosi

While it is widely acknowledged that Khama holds the title of Kgosi, the government’s failure to properly gazette his recognition has raised serious concerns about adherence to legal procedures and the credibility of traditional leadership. (See a story elsewhere in this newspaper.) Recent court documents by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse, shed light on the intricacies of Khama’s recognition process....

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