News & Events

In keeping with social distancing requirements aimed at reducing the risk of the spread of Cororona Virus (COVID-19), BOCRA encourages its customers and licensees to continue making use of Information and Communications Technologies to access its services. Physical visits to BOCRA offices should be limited to absolutely critical service requirements. BOCRA’s online platforms are convenient and secure.

When he announced phased lifting of extreme social distancing measures, HisExcellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi emphasised that reopening the country will be based on cooperation and adherence to current lockdown rules, adding that faster relaxation of rules will only occur upon evidence that incidences of COVID19 threat were on the decrease.

Let us continue to heed the advice of Director of Health Services and adhere to COVID-19 health protocols.

#STAY HOME
#WASH HANDS

PUBLISHING, FORWARDING OR CREATING FALSE INFORMATION USING ONLINE PLATFORMS IS AN OFFENCE

Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) advices consumers to be vigilant of and avoid taking part in publishing, forwarding or creating false alarming information and fake news about the novel Corona Virus. Publishing of false statements constitutes an offence under section 59 of the Penal Code which reads as follows:

59 (1) Any person who publishes any false statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace is guilty of an offence.

In addition, the Communications Regulatory Authority Act makes it an offence to send false information by means of a telecommunications system. Section 55 states that a person who:

(a) sends, by means of a public telecommunications system, a message or other matter which is offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character;

or

(b) sends, by public telecommunications system, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety to another person, a message which he or she knows to be false, or persistently makes use, for that purpose, of a public telecommunications system, commits an offence.

In line with these provisions of the law, the public is urged to exercise responsibility and reject and/or delete reckless messages disseminated within their social groups.

The public is further advised to be wary of misleading advertisements from unscrupulous people who take advantage of the uncertainty and desperation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These delinquent individuals scam and cheat unsuspecting consumers with online products and services that:

• Use names, logos and addresses similar to those of online platforms of known public authorities, official experts and international bodies alleging that they
have endorsed a product or service without providing hyperlinks or references to official documents;

• Make claims of scarcity or limited quantities of a product or a service to get consumers to buy without due care;

• Collect personal data promising free data, airtime, or even money in exchange for free information updates on Corona Virus;

• Quote doctors, health professionals, experts or any other officials whose identities and credentials cannot be easily verified as having endorsed that a particular product is able to treat or prevent COVID-19 virus or any other illness;

• Show prices that are unusually higher than those of similar products to justify allegations of the product’s ability to treat or stop COVID-19 infection; and

• Use language or images which directly or indirectly suggest that a product can prevent or cure COVID-19 infection.

Genuine online platforms provide channels through which inappropriate content should be reported. Consumers are therefore advised to report such misleading claims to the respective online platform administrators and/or the police.

Examples of fake online platforms include:

http://www.ucrtv.com
(It published a false report claiming that Botswana had confirmed one case of Corona Virus, through Ministry of Health)

http://bit.ly/WHO-Recharge
(It claims to be an online platform for the World Health Organisation and promises people 1GB data in return of Corona Virus information updates)

Consumers are advised to report misleading information and suspicious claims to the Police.
BOCRA will work with Law Enforcement Authorities to ensure that culprits who disseminate fake news using online platforms are prosecuted and/or fined.

For further information contact:
Aaron Nyelesi
Director, Corporate Communications & Consumer Affairs
nyelesi@bocra.org.bw
Tel: 3685500

Public Notice

Measures to Reduce Transmission and Spread of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19)

In line Government Gazette Extraordinary Vol. LVIII, No. 23 of 20 March 2020, and in support of the Government public health measures and awareness campaign, BOCRA informs its stakeholders, licensees, customers, and the public that it has implemented the following measures:

Use of Online Platforms to Remotely Access BOCRA services

BOCRA advises its stakeholders, licensees, customers and the public to use its onlineePayment and licence verification platforms, to the extent possible, to remotely access its services. These online platforms are accessible via the BOCRA website (www.bocra.org.bw). Use of Telephone, Electronic Mail and Facsimile to Remotely Access BOCRA staff BOCRA also advises customers and the public to use the telephone, facsimile, and electronic mailing services to limit visits to BOCRA offices for absolutely critical service requirements.

Practising of good hygiene

 BOCRA encourages its walk-in customers, stakeholders, licensees and the public to wash their hands with water and soap as egularly and as thoroughly as is possible.
 BOCRA has provided sanitizing facilities for all walk-in customers to sanitize hands before they can be served.
 BOCRA advises all walk-in customers and public to strictly adhere to the required social distancing protocol at all times while in the

BOCRA premises.

 BOCRA further encourages all its customers and staff to exercise hygiene when sneezing and coughing in public.

These measures have been instigated to protect the health of BOCRA staff, customers and stakeholders.

We thank you for your understanding and we look forward to your
cooperation.

Telephone
BOCRA Head Office

Front Desk: 395 7755/368 5500/368 4400
Facsimile: 396 7976

Electronic mail: info@bocra.org.bw
BOCRA website: www.bocra.org.bw

#ExerciseHygiene #StaySafe

Mmogo re ka kgona Corona.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INVITATION TO STAKEHOLDERS TO A CONSULTATION WORKSHOP ON LICENSING FRAMEWORK OF CAMPUS RADIO BROADCASTING
Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA or the Authority) is a statutory body established under the Communications Regulatory Authority Act [CRA Act, 2012] with a responsibility to regulate the communications sector in Botswana, comprising telecommunications, Internet and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), radio communications, broadcasting, postal services and related matters.

The Authority is planning to develop a Licensing Framework for Campus Radios in line with its mandate to make provision for licensing of academic training institutions radios. The objective of the framework is to enable the tertiary institutions to provide a broadcasting training platform for students and information sharing.

BOCRA invites tertiary institutions, broadcasters, students and all other
interested stakeholders to a consultation workshop make comments to the
proposed DISCUSSION PAPER ON LICENSING FRAMEWORK OF
CAMPUS RADIO BROADCASTING. The consultation workshop will be held
on 02 nd March 2020 at 09:00hrs at the BOCRA Office-Spectrum House,
Phakalane. Following the workshop, BOCRA will consider all input, and
determine the way forward.

The Discussion Paper on Licensing Framework of Campus Radio Broadcasting is available from the BOCRA website: www.bocra.org.bw or BOCRA Head Office, Plot 50671, Independence Avenue.

Following the workshop comments should be submitted to:
The Chief Executive
Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority
Plot No 50671, Independence Avenue
Private Bag 00495
Gaborone

Attention:
Masego M. Jeremiah jeremiah@bocra.org.bw Tel 395 7755/ 368 5563

VENUE : BOCRA Phakalane Office

DATE: Thursday 30th January 2020

CLICK HERE to access the WTSA 2020 Workshop Programme.

Click on the link to access the Approved Advertising code for Broadcasters December 2019: https://www.bocra.org.bw/advertising-code-broadcasters-december-2019

BOCRA has approved new products and services. Click here to download.

BOCRA has approved new products and services. Click here to download.

Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority would like to invite reputable companies to tender for the Provision of Consultancy Services to Develop Metering and Billing Verification Guidelines to Facilitate the Audit of Telecommunications Operators Billing Systems for BOCRA. Click here to download... 

WE ARE CLOSING OFFICES FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) will close offices for the festive season on the 20th December 2019, from 1700hrs and re-open for business on the 7th January 2020.

BOCRA advises all licensees who wish to renew their licences to do so on or before close of business on the 20th December 2019. There will be no renewals done during the festive break.

BOCRA takes this time to wish Batswana and its licensees safe holidays.

For more information or clarity contact:

Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority
Plot 50671 Independence Avenue
Private Bag 00495
Gaborone
Tel: +267 368 5500
Fax: +267 395 7976