Mascom embarks on countrywide SIM registration to avert cyber fraud
Mascom – the leading communications operator locally - has launched upgraded and new sites/ towers in different places around the country
such as Sesung, Mosi, Ga-Segwagwa, Tonota, Hukuntsi and Tsabong.
This exercise has seen majority of sites upgraded to 4G for a more consistent customer experience on the network. In 2020/2021 Mascom embarked on a network upgrade across the country to increase capacity and expand coverage, in line with technological advancements and to provide superior user experience to all customers. According to Barbara Gotlop, Mascom’s Head of Communications and Public Relations, this is an ongoing project where other areas like Bobonong, Mochudi, Shakawe, Matsiloje, Motshefaletau and many others across the country will also experience improved and or new network coverage.
Gotlop spoke to The Midweek Sun after a donation of 200 chairs and a podium that the company had made to BaKgatla ba Kgafela tribal administration in Mochudi recently. She said that Mascom is a company of value, repute and true Botswana pride and has a rich history that is firmly rooted in stakeholder engagement hence “our engagement with Bakgatla on the network developments intended for Mochudi”. The continued increase in investment gives assurance to Batswana of the commitment Mascom has to improve overall network performance and reliability of services with a goal to provide customers with improved customer experience with better network coverage, reduced downtime and faster data speeds. Gotlop insists that Mascom has continually upgraded its network infrastructure to over cutting-edge technologies since its inception, for the benefit of the customer.
As a result of this heavy investment, Mascom currently has substantial 4G, 4.5G and 5G sites across Botswana to serve the digital connectivity needs of Batswana. These technologies are accepted worldwide and Mascom complies with international standards as set out in the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), to ensure that the Mascom network infrastructure meets all safety protocols.Over the years, Mascom has continued to provide internet connectivity throughout the country through its infrastructure using a vast array of products such as MySurf, MySurf Turbo, MyMix, MyMeg and MySocial on 4G network, and MySurf Fibre on the Fibre network. Speaking during the donation handover ceremony, Mascom’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Boipelo Matenge revealed that the company has started a SSIM registration exercise in which every Motswana and everyone in Botswana who uses a SIM card will be registered in order to stem the tide of fraud that happens in the cyber space.
Matenge stressed that this will allow every SIM user to be identified through their national registration number (O Mang) or passport in the case of non-citizens. The registration is a requirement imposed on network service providers by telecommunications regulator – Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). Mascom team will be dispatched throughout the country to register SIM cards.