Mobile network operators have until the end of November to submit the required data to enable the reduction of roaming charges between Namibia and Botswana.
Cognisant of the importance of mobile telecommunications services in facilitating regional integration and seamless spatial aid, information and communication technology minister Peya Mushelenga said he and his Batswana counterpart Thulagano Merafe Segokgo will in consultation with mobile network operators work on a collaborative framework to reduce roaming charges between the two countries.
“We are both committed to implementing this ministerial decision by March 2024.
Communications have been sent to operators in Namibia and Botswana, informing them of the decisions to lower roaming charges between the two countries,” said Mushelenga during a joint media briefing at the Government Information Centre yesterday.
He added that he and Segokgo first met in Botswana in August this year to strengthen existing bilateral relations, and explore areas of cooperation.
“There, we agreed to accelerate the harmonisation of roaming charges across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to facilitate the implementation of the single market in line with cost-based roaming projects per the decision of the SADC ministers responsible for information and communication,” shared Mushelenga.
He said mobile network providers agreed on a collaborative framework to reduce roaming charges between the two countries.
On his part, Segokgo said the plan is to compile data analysis and draft a report with proposed roaming rates by the established committee by December 2023.
“The report will be shared with the operators and stakeholders at a workshop in January 2024 for further input. Operators are also expected to start preliminary negotiations, based on the direction provided in the draft by February 2024,” he noted.
Segokgo said operators will be allowed to make written submissions to the committee, which will be incorporated, and a final report by January 2024, with the regulators to issue directives to the operators on the implementation of reduced roaming rates by February 2024.
“Cran and Bocra (Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority) will be facilitating negotiations when necessary, and ensure the timely implementation of the new roaming rates on 1 April 2024,” he added.
Asked to comment on the proposed roaming charges’ reduction and what it means for MTC, spokesperson of the telecommunications giant Fikameni Mathias said their primary objective will always be aligned with the national objectives, and subsequently to the customers in ensuring efficient service delivery.
“We view this as a positive development, in line with the ideals of the harmonisation of regional roaming charges,” he observed
Mathias added: “This is a step in the right direction, considering the dreams of a connected Africa and particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, which presents an opportunity for African countries to link smart markets by using technology and innovation to improve market efficiency.”
Mathias stated that this can lead to reduced transaction costs, increased transparency and better market access for businesses in both countries.
Segokgo and his delegation yesterday also visited Telecom Namibia, the MTC HTTPS innovation centre at NUST before they left for the coast, where Cran and Bocra were scheduled to sign an MoU in areas including data roaming initiatives, management of the radio spectrum, cybersecurity and data protection, regulation of telecommunications markets, E-waste, collection and processing of statistical data, consumer protection in relation to telecommunication services, promotion of technical innovation in the telecommunications field, international cooperation, especially in the framework of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and Quality of Services (QoS).
Today, the Botswana delegation will visit the Google Equiano Landing Cable, the WACS Landing Cable, as well as attend the opening of NBC’s Swakopmund office, among other activities.
– psiririka@nepc.com.na
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