BOFINET BITS & BYTES, Vol 1 Issue 2

bring content closer to our customers.

This is our 10th year in existence as a wholesale provider of both national and international telecommunications infrastructure. We have made strides in achieving milestones of our life-changing five (5) year strategy, UNLEASH 2025 which started in 2020. We have exciting plans that we will be bringing to you this year. We are going to continue Fibre To The Business (FTTB) expansions to Kanye, Mahalapye, Molepolole and Tlokweng.

As I conclude, let me once again thank you for taking interest in our publication. Please feel free to provide feedback to us at +267 3986 33-9 or by email at info@bofinet.co.bw.

Mr. Douglas Moji

BOFINET THROUGH WIOCC BRINGS THE WORLD CLOSER

In August 2022, West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) expanded Africa’s openaccess digital infrastructure with high-capacity cable, Google’s Equiano, enhancing connectivity between Europe, Nigeria and South Africa.

WIOCC, a leading provider of digital connectivity and infrastructure across Africa, is working with CIENA to become the first operator to activate a fibre pair on the new Equiano submarine cable system. Running a total of 15,000 km from Portugal along the African West Coast, Equiano will be one of the largest cables serving Africa with 12 fibre pairs delivering a total of 144 Tbps of capacity. As a shareholder in WIOCC, BoFiNet and by extension, Botswana stands to benefit greatly from the landing of Equiano.

In the following interview, Mr. Mabua Mabua explains what Botswana can expect to benefit from this.

1.What does the landing of Equiano cable mean to both BoFiNet and Botswana’s economy?

BoFiNet is a shareholder in WIOCC and that gives it access to the WIOCC capacities in Equiano through a favourable strategic partnership. Access to Equiano capacities provides an alternative connectivity route to Europe and North America that guarantees high quality and international connectivity to major content hubs, which is key for Botswana’s economy.

2. Do we see the landing of this cable reducing internet prices and increasing internet penetration in any way?

It is highly possible that the retail prices will decrease due to competition amongst the emerging global providers that will be facilitated by Equiano, and the reduction will stimulate growth in uptake and as such increase internet penetration.

3.Have we started experiencing the impact of the landing of Equiano cable in Botswana as anticipated to extend to the rest of Africa?

It will probably take 6-12 months to start experiencing the impact. We are already enjoying the high-quality services of the undersea West Africa Cable System (WACS) and the East Africa Sea System (EASSY), in which we are shareholders. These two (2) optic fibre cables provide high-quality undersea connectivity services. Equiano is therefore complementing the WACS and EASSY and providing redundancies for any future failures.

4.Is the Digital Delta, BoFiNet’s data centre, going to be connected to Equiano cable in Botswana to extend to the rest of Africa?

The Digital Delta Data Centre will be connecting through many international connectivity links to all worldwide content hubs and will offer reliable local or closest proximity storage for Botswana and the region.

5.Is Botswana Fibre Networks planning to invest in Equiano cable as it has in EASSY and WACS?

We are not directly investing in the Equiano cable but through our WIOCC shareholding and strategic partnership, we will be indirect shareholders and utilizing it for redundancies.

According to WIOCC Group CEO, Chris Wood the heavy investment in Equiano makes WIOCC extremely well positioned to provide businesses with access to fully upgradeable, quickly and easily scalable capacity throughout South Africa and into neighbouring countries, over one of the most future-proof networks in the country.

Mr. Mabua L. Mabua

BOFINET TAPS INTO BOTSAT-1 TO REACH MORE AREAS

The Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology in partnership with Botswana International University of Science & Technology (BIUST) recently commissioned the first Botswana Satellite Ground Station (BOTSAT-1) which was officially launched by His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi. The aim of the project was to ensure the availability of real-time environmental data that will be used to generate information for expenditure decision-making to enable socio-economic development. The Technical Executive at BoFiNet, Mr. Mpho Koolese explains the significance of this important milestone to BoFiNet.

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BOFINET AND BOTSWANA ASH JOIN HANDS TO IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY

There were unprecedented challenges of heavy rainfall and a very hard rock which delayed the completion of civil works. Despite the challenges, the cable has passed pre-tests and the services will be commissioned by end of January 2023. The Project Manager, Mr Palalani Palalani has indicated that though there are some snags, they have taken calculated risks to deliver the service to the customer.

When asked to comment on the developments that the project was bringing, he said, ‘‘The project will be bringing reliable connectivity to the mine and the whole of Sowa township, benefiting Government departments, schools, businesses and mobile telecommunication operators.”

On Monday 21st of November 2022, BoFiNet started the BOTASH project to overcome connectivity issues around the BOTASH Mine and Sowa Town. The areas have been serviced by microwave, which is no longer providing a reliable connection due to increase in demand. The Sowa environment is an enemy to the microwave as the salty particles accumulate on the microwave and corrodes some components leading to continuous network failures hence compromising network availability in the area.

The project scope entailed 44 km of twin ducts (40mm) from Nata to BOTASH Mine via Dukwi junction. The works included the installation of boxes, trenching, drawing of cables into ducts, drawing of the subduct, splicing of fibres, installation of the Optical Distribution Frame (ODF), termination, testing and commissioning of the fibre infrastructure.

He further explained that BoFiNet was delivering on its mandate and mission to provide digital transformation with innovative solutions to government entities and other potential customers. This is part of our strategic intent, UNLEASH 2025, to enable 100% geographical broadband penetration.

Mr. Palalani Palalani Project Manager

BOFINET’S FIRST FIBRE OVERHEAD UNDERWAY

In a quest to expand access to broadband in the northern region, BoFiNet partially completed the deployment of the first overhead backbone fibre: the Sebina -Tutume fibre overhead. The project started in October 2021 and it is anticipated to be completed by the end of March 2023.

The Project Supervisor, Mr. Johannes Molefhi has indicated that the project covers a total of 45 km of overhead fibre. As indicated, this is the first overhead deployment by BoFiNet, as the company has previously been deploying its fibre infrastructure underground.

With this deployment, people in the villages of Sebina, Nshakashokwe, Makuta, Magapatona and Tutume will be connected to the national broadband network. To date, BoFiNet has network coverage of over 11,000km of fibre across the country.

OODI TO MACHANENG OVERHEAD OPTIC FIBRE CABLE COMING SOON

BoFiNet will soon be deploying 317.4 km of overhead optic fibre cable from Oodi to Machaneng, to establish connectivity of voice and data traffic. The project scope entails the supply, installation, and commissioning of an overhead optical fibre network on a defined route to provide broadband network sites to connect Oodi, Modipane, Dikwididi, Mabalane, Sikwane, Mmathubudukwane, Ramonaka, Malolwane, Oliphant’s Drift, Ramotlabaki, Mmaphashalala, Dovedale, Kudumatse, Makwate, Machaneng and Pars Halt Border Post.

The appointment of a company that will be conducting Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) for the excavation and erection of gum poles and fibre optic cables along the designated route has been completed. The assessment will evaluate the extent to which the project will affect the existing building and infrastructure and other services. The EIA monitoring services will be conducted for the entirety of the project, to ensure that minimal damage is done to the environment within which the route will traverse.

The project commenced 9th January 2023 and is expected to be completed by 28th August 2023. Once complete, the last mile of the cable will connect hospitals, government offices, airports and other commercial areas such as shopping centres, hotels and office parks.

Mr. Johannes Molefhi Project Supervisor

SNAPSHOTS OF 2022 BOFINET EVENTS

BoFiNet stall at the 2022 Consumer Fair

BoFiNet Commercial Executive, Mr. Keabetswe Segole taking Honourable Thulagano Segokgo on a tour at the 2022 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day at Mmathubudukwane.

Hon. Tumiso Rakgare testing the donated equipment at Mogoditshane outdoor gym.

Board Member, Mrs. Bonang Kwape doing aerobics during the hand over ceremony of the outdoor gym.

Commercial Executive, Mr. Keabetswe Segole at the fibre to the business seminars in Letlhakane and Jwaneng .

Hon. Thulagano Segokgo and his delegation touring the Digital Delta Data Centre.

BOFINET WOMEN IN ICT SHINE

Despite the efforts made to introduce science courses in elementary and secondary schools, we still see few women than men in technology. BoFiNet’s workforce continues to be male-dominated with about 79 women out of 267 BoFiNet head-count. It has been realized that technology today is associated with computers, intelligent systems, and data analytics, all the areas that need women who, on equal terms with men, are creative and solution-finders. In this issue, we have featured two (2) BoFiNet Women techies taking us through their career paths, challenges and how they have survived in telecommunications.

After doing very well in Maths and Science, Thapelo was interested in joining fields that are perceived to be for males only. An opportunity in the telecommunications industry arose and woke the zeal to prove to the world that women are able. She was also fascinated by the nature of telecommunications in our country and wanted to be part of the team that is bringing change to Botswana.

Thapelo joined the telecommunications industry in July 1992, as a Trainee Technician at Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC). She was later promoted to the Assistant Technician position, where she was responsible for the maintenance of transmission equipment in various locations around the country consisting of microwave radio equipment and local fibre ring network.

Ms. Pule wished that she had the ability to communicate effectively in order to bring people together because her role involves the coordination of faults. This means that for her to do her work diligently, she has to engage with different types of people within maintenance teams and contractors to resolve faults. She also values the emotional intelligence of her team members because she supervises a team that performs shift duty.

Thapelo encouraged ladies who are considering a career in the telco industry to be passionate about what they do and be open to criticism.

Ms. Thapelo Mendy Pule Network Management Engineer

In What ways can we bring more Batswana women into the tech space?

There is need to recruit more women to join the tech field. Young girls need to be encouraged to opt for technical courses when they go to tertiary their roles and responsibilities within the technical environment by visiting schools and carrying out motivational talks.

What professional fields are there in the business of tech?

Thapelo believes that women can perform at their best within the following fields:

Network Management – responsible for monitoring network health and making sure that the network performs optimally by applying preventative/ corrective maintenance, coordination of faults, keeping a record of all activities taking place within the network and engaging with customers.

Network Security – there is competition amongst businesses as well as culprits whose aim is to steal information from businesses and expose their secrets, as this profession should be promoted to maintain and upgrade the security of business information or data.

Does one need to have a tech-heavy background to succeed in the industry?

Yes. BoFiNet is a successful company, and this success thus far has been attributed to the diversity which exists within its human resources. BOFINET staff consist of knowledgeable, young and vibrant personnel with vast experience in telecommunications. A combination of fresh with a willingness to learn and experienced techies is what each organization needs to achieve its mandate.

Onkemetse has a vast experience in different facets of the telco space, where she was exposed to various existing technologies. Over the years, she has been instrumental in implementing technical solutions and supporting a various number of systems in the operational environment.

During her career journey, she has enjoyed the experience of both the exquisiteness and the limitations of technology in the telecommunication space.

She holds a Bachelor of Engineering –telecommunications from the University of South Australia, as well as other certifications like Bullet Proof Manager, Prince 2 Foundation and Practitioner and others.

She has a passion to be part of the journey to the digitised world. She believes that it is time to turn the tables and use the best efforts to work towards a balanced engineering space because “Engineers were meant to improve the world with the creative power of their minds.”, and women too have potential minds.

Ms. Onkemetse Ngwako Network Performance Engineer

INTERNET USAGE IN BOTSWANA

According to The World Bank, the internet was being used by 1% of the total population of Botswana in 1998 and by the year 2020 internet usage had increased to 64% of the total population. As of January 2022, 1.5 million internet users were registered.

Source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?contextual=default&end=2020&locations= BW&most_recent_year_desc=true&start=1960&view=chart

Figure 1: Botswana’s Internet Usage

From the diagram above, the greatest jump in internet usage occurred from year 2010 and was perhaps influenced by the introduction of the 4G LTE which ushered in the era of mobile broadband analog voice. In 2014, Statistics Botswana reported that 85.3% of the total population used a mobile cellular phone and this increased accessibility to the internet for users (as per same report the most common device used for internet access was a mobile cellphone).

BoFiNet has been a major player in the increased accessibility and usage of the internet in Botswana. Through its Internet Protocol Transit (IPT) product, BoFiNet has enabled users to have access to online content through peering with different service providers in South Africa and London. Over the years it has expanded its network infrastructure to reach different parts of the country that were not covered initially. Two hundred and six (206) localities are currently connected to the national open access broadband infrastructure and with the UNLEASH 2025 strategy the remaining 193 are targeted to be covered by year 2025. These infrastructure developments have enabled provisioning of backhaul capacity to mobile operators for the implementation of 3G, 4G and 5G networks therefore enabling mobile cellphone internet users.

As at end of September 2022, Botswana’s total internet traffic amounted to 60.18 Gbps, a significant growth from when utilization was just 2.19 Gbps at end of year 2014, BoFiNet’ s first full operational year.

As BoFiNet continues to expand its reach countrywide and the launch of its latest product, The Digital Delta Data Centre in 2023, the numbers in the charts above will definitely go high.

The trendline forecasts that by 2025 utilization will be around 78 Gbps, however with BoFiNet increasing its reachability to other areas not currently covered with access network the number may be even higher. In addition, the evolution of Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) dictates the provisioning of high-capacity networks to enable these technologies.

Smart Mobiles, refrigerators, watches, fire alarms, door locks, bicycles, medical sensors, fitness trackers, security system, are just a few examples of IoT products that imply a need for faster networks, therefore, providing new opportunities for change and innovation. The SMARTBOTS project is one of the flagship government projects in their quest towards a knowledge-based economy and BoFiNet has recently completed phase 1 of the project. This has not only provided internet access to the general community but has also created employment.

Figure 2: IPT Traffic growth

PUBLIC HOTSPOTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION S

Q: What is a Hotspot?

A hotspot is a place where there is WI-FI internet.

Q: Where can i get Connectivity?

The WI-FI Service is available in public areas across Botswana such as malls, bus ranks, airports, borders and hospitals.

Q: How long can I connect to Botswana Hotspots? Every user 30 minutes free WI-FI daily

Q: Does Botswana Hotspot offer full access internet? Yes, it allows you to access all your desired sites and apps

Q: My signal is weak what’s going on? The strength is determinded by how far you are from the internet equipment

Q: What devices can i use to connect to Botswana Hotspots? Any smartphone, laptop, computer or tablet.

Q: How do I connect to Botswana Hotsport?

1. Get to a hotspot location

2. Switch on your device WI-FI settings and connect to Botswana Hotspot

3. You will be redirected to Botswana Hotspot portal

4. Select LOG IN / FREE INTERNET

5. Click on Start Free 30 minutes WI-FI

6. You are connected

BOTSWANA HOTSPOTS GROWTH

WI-FI has experienced significant growth over the years, with utilization over 300,000 connections