Mascom Wireless Launches 3G in Botswana

Botswana's Mascom Wireless has launched a 3G and HSDPA network - although coverage is initially limited to the greater Gaborone area only. Mascom Chief Marketing Officer, Ms Dzene Makhwade-Seboni said that the company has spent P50 million (US$7.7 million) on the network upgrade.

The download speed is limited to 1.8Mbps on the network, and falls back to EDGE when out of 3G coverage.

The upgraded network coverage should be expanded to Francistown in a few months time - and then to other cities as demand allows.

According to figures from the Mobile World database, the country ended the first quarter of this year with a shade under 1.5 million subscribers, representing a population penetration level of 90%. There are two mobile operators, Orange and Mascom Wireless, with Be Mobile making the third when it launches.

Portugal Telecom is the strategic and management partner for Mascom Wireless.

Posted to the site on 22nd August 2008