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Key issues in the development of mobile telephony in Botswana (1998-2011): An empirical investigation

New Media & Society

Published online on

Abstract

This article explored the key issues in the development of mobile telephony in Botswana from 1998 to 2011. The study has shown that as a developing country, Botswana has done well to develop and structurally position the mobile telephony sector for the benefit of its citizens. This is evidenced by the high rate of subscription of mobile telephony countrywide and continuous attempts by the government to network under-served communities. However, the sector has been left in the hands of a quasi-governmental corporation and private individual businessmen. In addition, there is serious competition for subscribers amongst network operators, uneven diffusion of network technologies and inadequate communication signal in some remote areas. Therefore, this study argues for additional reforms, with a view to strengthening and positioning the sector for effective use in order to deliver social services and increase diversification of the economy.