National Broadband Strategy

Definitions of Data:

N/A

Main Focus of Document:

This is the Botswana government's aim at ensuring that the country has a robust ICT system for the benefit of the people

Target Beneficiaries or Sectors:

citizens

Key Elements:

Provides a holistic and coordinated approach to the implementation of the ICT ecosystem in the country. The overall vision is to connect every citizen, business and community to a high-speed broadband infrastructure.

Key details include: 4 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: The National Broadband Strategy is anchored within broader national priorities, goals and objectives. 4.1 Goals: The overall policy goals of the Strategy are to:

1. establish a coordinated approach to ensure that reliable high-speed networks are universally accessible throughout the country; and
2. ensuring equitable and affordable access to broadband infrastructure and services by all people over time.

4.2 Objectives In particular, the objectives of the Strategy are to:

1. Create an enabling environment for the deployment, accessibility, availability and utilisation of broadband infrastructure and services for diverse uses.
2. Ensure universal access to broadband services by development of appropriate funding mechanisms that involve public-private sector partnerships and or targeted subsidies.
3. Create an enabling environment that:
   1. Encourages and ensures increased uptake and usage of broadband services by all citizens;
   2. Ensures the integrity and security of the broadband networks to promote confidence and trust in electronic commerce and transactions;
   3. Promotes the protection and respect of privacy and personal dignity through appropriate instruments for regulation of personal data;
   4. Introduces and promotes flexibility in the use of scarce resources such as spectrum to ensure the broader availability of broadband services.
4. To facilitate and encourage economic diversification inter alia by promoting and facilitating:
   1. Implementation of Maitlamo (e-Government, e-Health, e-Education and eCommerce) initiatives;
   2. Creation of appropriate and relevant local content;
   3. Implementation of diverse government programmes and initiatives that are conditional upon the availability of broadband infrastructure and services; and
   4. Innovation, research and development.

5.5 Digital Content

2. Electronic Commerce and Mobile Commerce Another important field of development is electronic commerce (e-Commerce) and mobile commerce (m-commerce). E-commerce has become a common practice in many countries and m-Commerce is now facing a similar development. Botswana should follow similar trends in the growth of e-commerce and m-commerce, provided that some prerequisite conditions are satisfied, such as the existence of proper legislation to ensure security for the transactions, and an appropriate access to online banking or online payment. On the other hand, electronic and mobile commerce are additional drivers for getting connected to a broadband network. Furthermore, to drive local content development and consumption, there will be need for development of robust and affordable data hosting facilities (data centres) to improve reliability of access to services.
3. Electronic Services In Botswana, Government plays a major role in the provision of services to the public. It is the largest employer as well as the largest buyer of goods and services. Almost everyone in the country interacts with Government and uses its services at various times throughout their lives. Government is thus an important driver of demand for broadband services. As e-Government, e-Health and e-Education mature and more information and services become available online (in a convenient and user-friendly manner), more and more citizens and businesses will begin to embrace ICTs to access this information and services. This will increase the uptake of ICTs across all segments of society. The success of this Strategy, therefore, depends on the leadership of the government at all levels and within various ministries and departments in the adoption and promotion of the uptake of broadband services as well as in the delivery of government services and information online. In order to effectively leverage e-government, e-health, e-agriculture, e-education, and e-commerce services as a driver for demand for broadband services, a number of conditions should be fulfilled:
   • Botswana should leverage its high mobile penetration rate and ensure availability of e-government, e-health, e-agriculture, e-education and e-commerce services as mobile applications. Mobile phones and or devices should be used as the main internet access devices. • Accessibility to personal computers and smart phones must be increased. It is therefore critical that appropriate incentives are put in place to make personal computers and smartphones in general affordable and to provide e-government, e-health, e-education and e-commerce services in a format suitable for such devices (development of applications).
   • The deployment of broadband infrastructure must be aligned to the e-government, e-health, e-agriculture and e-education programme implementation plans. Operators and service providers should adjust to this new demand by extending the reach of their broadband networks and services.

5.7 Legal Framework

2. Consumer Protection: The e-legislation must provide protection to consumers who would otherwise not be provided with appropriate remedies by the common law and or the traditional paper-based legislation. Key features of such legislation should include the following minimum elements:
   • The creation of an accessible, predictable, safe and transparent trading environment, which operates across territorial borders and jurisdictions.
   • Promotion and protection of party autonomy with respect to e-transactions. • Obligations of on-line suppliers clearly spelt out in legislation. Addresses the liability of service providers.
   • The authentication of e-signatures.