Botswana Policy Statement at the WSIS+10 Honourable Nonofo E. Molefhi Minister of Transport and Communications

Introduction Botswana has a very small population As developing nation, we are facing challenges in implementing ICT initiatives There are other competing needs such as provision of water, energy and housing It is very difficult to achieve balance between the competing needs Despite this challenges, government has invested a lot money on ICT infrastructure But more effort is required drive the demand for ICT services

Achievements Policy Framework  2007 National ICT Policy  2006 Rural Telecommunications Strategy  Establishment of converged communications regulator  2012 e-Government Strategy  Broadband Strategy Regulatory Framework  Service Neutral Licensing Framework  Infrastructure Sharing Guidelines  Various Communications Regulations

Achievements Deployment of broadband infrastructure  Capacity on undersea cables  National backbone ring  Rural connectivity Connectivity to school, libraries, post offices and community access centres High uptake of mobile services E-Legislation  Electronic Communications and Transactions Act  E-Evidence Act Provision of government information on line

Challenges As a landlocked country, high cost of accessing undersea cables High cost of deploying services due to the big geographical area with small population High cost of internet services Low uptake of services especially internet home and business) Most of villages are not connected to the power grid Low levels of local content Low level of public awareness

Ongoing and Planned Activities Implementation of Broadband Strategy targeting both supply and demand sides  Deployment of mobile broadband network  Deployment of fixed broadband network  Network security  Public awareness and campaign  Digital literacy program  ICT research, innovation and development  Local content development  Internet connectivity and access to public facilities Privatisation of the incumbent state owned telecommunications operator Implementation of e-government, e-health, e-learning programmes Establishment of Universal Access Fund E-Legislation: Personal Data Protection, etc

Conclusion Botswana has adopted an ecosystem based approach to broadband Addressing both the supply and demand side of broadband will lead to attainment of WSIS Action lines Digital inclusion can only be achieved through regional & international collaboration Botswana continues to play a role in fostering this cooperation