Botswanan internet usage is on an upward trend and is increasing the penetration rate in Africa, according to the latest report by BuddeComm.
The country is one of the wealthiest nations in the continent and has well over 100 per cent mobile penetration.
The research company now puts the internet penetration for the country at 8 per cent, coming after years of internet connectivity stagnation.
The mobile operators, Mascom Wireless, Orange Botswana and BeMobile have entered the underdeveloped broadband sector with different strategies including 3G mobile, LTE and WiMAX.
This move is expected to bring more competition with the already established internet service providers (ISPs) in the country.
“The landing of additional cables in the region in 2011 and 2012 has improved the competitive situation in this sector,” the report stated.
It adds: “Regulatory reform has turned the country into one of the most liberalised telecommunications markets in the region, including a service-neutral licensing regime which takes into account the increasing convergence of technologies and services.”
In July last year, it was reported Botswana and Namibia finally installed broadband services through the African Cable System (WACS), bringing the internet services closer to the people.
