Masisi launches Orange’s 5G roll out
President Mokgweetsi Masisi is optimistic that internet of things ( IoT), enhanced by 5G technology will transform the country’s agricultural services, healthcare, and other essential services.
“5G technology offers immense opportunities for businesses, citizens and the government,” said Masisi speaking at the launch of Orange Botswana’s 5G network roll out launch.
Orange Botswana is the first mobile network operator to rollout 5G in the country and on the Orange subsidiary networks in Africa.
He said information communications technology ( ICT) should be embraced as it is likely to aid economic growth. “It has the potential and, indeed, the power to unlock opportunities across a spectrum of sectors, be it in the financial services sector, the healthcare sector, and yes, the communications space.
“For individuals, organisations and businesses, we are able to be more efficient, more connected and more empowered to do more, deliver more and create more. Let us not underestimate this,” said Masisi. Masisi however warned individuals and businesses to use the technology, and enhanced access and infrastructure for good - progress and for prosperity. Buttressing on progress, President Masisi said business, deals and decisions can be made more instantaneously, because speaking to counterparts in Asia, Europe and beyond without having to move from one’s office chair, is as seamless as face- to- face communication. “This is progress,” he emphasized.
He reiterated that the fourth industrial revolution ( 4IR,) the age of digital transformation and the internet of things, provide governments and the private sector with possibilities of improvement in efficiency, productivity, economic growth and the well- being of society.
“We cannot afford to be left behind. We will not be left behind,” Masisi said.
Orange Botswana Chief Executive Officer, Nene Maiga said her company has been lured to rollout 5G in Botswana because the country is determined to become one of Africa’s front- runners in ICT, innovation and digital technology.
“The national digital transformation vision was created with the purpose to take full advantage of Fourth Industrial Revolution ( 4IR) and have Botswana become a high- income earning economy by 2036,” said Maiga. She said the vision is becoming a reality, as Botswana has recently been named amongst the Top 100 most innovative countries in the world and within the Sub- Saharan region, Botswana has been recognized amongst the Top 10 most innovative countries according to the Global Innovation Index of 2022.
With a coverage of 30percent of the country’s population, Orange will roll out in the greater Gaborone and Francistown before other cities in early 2023. Orange is optimistic that the 5G launch will support innovation and digital inclusion in the country, putting Botswana at the forefront of 5G in Africa and is closely aligned with the government’s ambition to leverage Fourth Industrial Revolution ( 4IR) innovation towards transforming Botswana into a knowledge- based economy.
“The opportunities that this technology can unlock, not just for the ICT industry but for all enterprises in Botswana are promising,” said Jerome Henique, Chief Executive Officer Orange Middle East and Africa ( OMEA).
He said 5G will be enabled to deliver speeds up to 10x faster and will offer greater capacity for businesses.
“5G will help SMEs grow their business and expand their capabilities to manage greater markets and a wider customer base,” said Henique. Meanwhile, Orange Botswana will introduce new 5G fixed broadband services and mobile data bundles this week. The offers are available for both residential customers, small and medium enterprises and include value added services, the fixed offers are available from 15Mbps for prepaid and from 20Mbps for postpaid.