Orange launches its commercial 5G network in Botswana

Orange Botswana is the first Orange (www.Orange.com) affiliate in Africa to commercially launch 5G; the 5G network will be available in greater Gaborone and Francistown, covering 30% of the population, on November 11, 2022; 5G technology will enable new healthcare, education, and security services in the country.

Orange Botswana is the first Orange affiliate to launch 5G, covering 30% of the population and including greater Gaborone and Francistown. In early 2023, other cities will follow.

It comes on the heels of the opening of Botswana’s first Orange Digital Centre, which will help bridge the digital divide and prepare Batswana youth for employment in a thriving digital ecosystem.

Jerôme HENIQUE, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, says: “The launch of 5G technology in Botswana will allow us to scale-up this technology and gain experience for other Orange countries across Africa. The benefits and potential impact of this are promising. It will help promote Africa’s digital inclusion, resulting in socio-economic growth and job creation. It is also ensuring Africa’s skills development on digital management tools and is in line with the ambitions of the African Union “Digital Transformation for Africa (2022 – 2030)”. It begins here and now, in Botswana.”

This 5G launch will boost innovation and digital inclusion in the country, putting Botswana at the forefront of 5G in Africa. It also aligns with the government’s goal of leveraging Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) innovation to transform Botswana into a knowledge-based economy that leaves no one behind.

5G’s ultra-high speed and low latency will enable new disruptive services such as e-health, connected vehicles, connected cities, real-time gaming, smart homes, and learning via virtual and augmented reality. It opens up a new world of possibilities for businesses, innovators, and society as a whole.

Orange Botswana has collaborated with MRI Botswana to develop a “Connected Ambulance” project that will allow doctors to guide paramedics through life-saving procedures while they are on their way to hospitals. This life-changing telemedicine intervention would not have been possible without 5G. Orange Botswana is excited to work with the government and businesses to implement 5G-based use cases.

Orange Botswana launches new 5G fixed broadband and mobile data bundles. Residential customers, as well as small and medium-sized businesses, can take advantage of the offers, which include value-added services. Fixed offers start at 15Mbps for Prepaid and 20Mbps for Postpaid, with monthly rentals starting at BWP 699 (€53 per month). Prepaid offer subscription is available via the Orange Yame App, USSD, and Card to Wallet.

Following the commercial launch of its 5G services in Botswana, Orange Middle East and Africa plans to continue its efforts in bringing the most advanced technologies to all of its MEA countries, adding value to local economies and continuously bridging the digital divide among African populations.

Other countries’ regulatory boards have yet to officially begin the process of allocating 5G licenses, despite the fact that many of them, such as Cote d’Ivoire, have expressed a strong desire to make 5G spectrum available by 2023. Meanwhile, Orange is working with several regulatory bodies to develop a 5G deployment roadmap, as well as testing the technology and developing use cases that meet the needs of local populations.

Nene MAIGA, CEO of Orange Botswana says: “At Orange Botswana, we are excited to be bringing in a new technology that will allow economic players to discover new possibilities enabled by 5G, and the way it could positively transform their daily activities. 5G connectivity is an incredible opportunity for businesses and the government, who are eager to take their operations to the next level. It is going to change how customers experience connectivity.”