Work on the study started in September 2009 and is expected to be completed by end of February 2010. The development is expected to open new business opportunities within ICT in the country.
The e-Governance programme, guided by the National ICT Policy, will provide a platform for effective and efficient provision of services locally and internationally.
The policy also seeks to establish a Universal Service Fund that will ensure sustainable implementation of the Universal Service Obligation which will make telecommunications services accessible to all Batswana.
The Universal Service and Access Policy which has been drafted will promote extended access to communication services by embracing opportunities created by emerging technologies. Both Policies will be submitted to Parliament for approval during the 2010/11 financial year.
In keeping with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Botswana started the process of charting a strategy to transform terrestrial broadcasting from analogue to digital in November 2008.The transformation is expected to be completed by December 2013.
The resolution, which is aimed at enhancing the efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum, would enable Batswana to access more and higher quality broadcasting services.
“In this knowledge based era, our ability to take advantage of new cost-effective technologies is necessary to transform our economic base into an innovative private sector-led, diversified economy,” said Finance minister Kenneth Matambo during a 2010-2011 Budget speech presentation in parliament on the 8th of February 2010.
In this regard, Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) has been mandated by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology to facilitate the physical development of the Botswana Innovation Hub.
The master plan of the Hub was approved in September 2009 and the designs for the infrastructure and Hub headquarters are being prepared with construction expected to start in July 2010.
The Innovation Hub, which has been incorporated as a company, will provide a platform for research and development in areas of information and communications technology, mining technologies, renewable energy and bio-technology, thus stimulating opportunities for economic transformation and diversification.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Regis Maburutse
Quelle/Source: The Business Diary, 10.02.2010
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