Established through the Communications Regulatory Authority Act, 2012 (CRA Act) on the 1st of April 2013, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority
(BOCRA) exists to regulate the communications sector in Botswana. Its mandate includes oversight and regulation of service provision in telecommunications, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Internet, broadcasting and radio communications as well as postal services and related matters.
Following the Board’s approval, BOCRA will be issuing 4 television broadcasting licences on Friday 23rd June at 10am, the licensees;
Satellite Television Broadcasting Services - Ovy Network (Pty) Ltd Alfaview (Pty) Ltd;
Free to Air Satellite Television - Clouds TV; and
Subscription Management Service - Econet Media.
The three classes of licenses that we will be issuing are as follows
The Satellite Television license will enable the service provider to provide broadcasting content over satellite either as a single channel or a bouquet of channels. The channel(s) could produced inhouse by the broadcaster or sourced from other broadcasting entinties and packaged into a bouquet. The service may be offered on subscription basis or free to air. The licensees are responsible for all the regulatory obligations pertaining the content provided.
Subscription Management Service License is the license that is given to a service provider whose sole responsibility is to enable consumers to access broadcasting content that is packaged and transmitted by another broadcasting entity.
More players receive television licences
Four new companies today received licences from Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) to provide television services under Subscription Management Service (SMS), Subscription Satellite Television Service and Free to Air Satellite Television Service categories. Ovy Network (Pty) Ltd; Alfaview (Pty) Ltd, DeepVibe Productions T/A Clouds TV and Econet Media Botswana T/A Kwese TV are the new players to enter the Botswana television broadcast market.
Alfaview, Ovy and Clouds TV will operate as Satellite Television Service providers broadcasting content as a single channel or several channels aggregated into a bouquet. The broadcast content could be locally produced by the broadcaster or commissioned from third parties in a form of a full channel or a packaged programme. The licensees will carry all the broadcasting obligations including responsibility over suitability of broadcast material for Botswana audience. Alfaview and Ovy will provide the service to the consumers on subscription basis, while Clouds TV will provide a free to air service.
Econet Botswana will operate a subscription management television service. Its responsibility will be to enable consumers to access broadcasting content that is packaged and transmitted by another broadcasting entity operating from outside Botswana.
Addressing himself to the new licensees, Acting Chief Executive of BOCRA Mr Tshoganetso Kepaletswe urged new entrants to make a strategic shift towards creating their own high quality local content. “Creation of local content is vital in a society as it provides material that is relevant to the audience. It is through the local content that our broadcasters can showcase abundant talent and creativity as well showcase our rich cultural diversity”.
The four licensees join two others in the names of Star Times and Mediacore Botswana (Pty) Ltd who received their licences on 19 April 2017. Once in full operation, the licensees are expected to improve the broadcasting services by offering consumers diversity of choice and plurality of content.
For Further Information contact:
Aaron Nyelesi
Deputy Director Corporate Communications
Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) informs the public that it has approved new retail tariffs for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The approved tariffs aim to eliminate Off-Net premiums and ensure that MNOs charge consumers the same tariff for On-Net and Off-Net calls. MNOs are expected to implement the reduction of tariffs in two phases. The first phase will begin on 1 June 2017 and second phase on 1 June 2018. Approval of the new tariffs follows the issuance of REGULATORY DIRECTIVE on cost oriented pricing...Read More...
Big Data For Big Impact
Every year on 17 May, the ITU membership around the world, celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day – a day to mark the founding of our Union over 150 years ago.
The theme for 2017 is "Big Data for Big Impact," which will explore the power of big data for development and examine the opportunities to convert unprecedented quantities of data into information that can drive development.
The insight brought about by this analysis of data will enable evidence-based decision-making at national, regional and international levels and help the implementation of all 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
It will also be an occasion to take a closer look at the importance of governance and regulation, and the implications for personal privacy and security given the future exponential growth in data and connectivity.
Countless opportunities will also be identified as we learn to better perfect and harness big data, and understand the impact big data can have as a global good.Activities undertaken by the ITU membership will contribute towards building momentum to embrace big data on a global scale and to seize new opportunities to address development challenges.
At its meeting held in Gaborone on May 15, 2017 the Board of Trustees for the Universal Access and Service Fund made the following adjudication decisions... Read More...
The Board of Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) informs the communications industry stakeholders and members of the public that the employment of contract of Mr. Thari G. Pheko as Chief Executive of BOCRA ends on 30 April 2017. Mr Pheko has chosen to pursue personal interests. He retires from BOCRA after ten years of meritorious service as Chief Executive, the position he assumed in January 2007.
BOCRA appreciates and expresses its gratitude to Mr Pheko for his sterling leadership and the invaluable contribution he made towards the growth of communications sector in Botswana.
The Board assures all stakeholders that Mr Pheko leaves behind a team of dedicated professional staff to ensure uninterrupted continuity of the regulatory environment.
Mr Tshoganetso Kepaletswe has since been appointed act as Chief Executive with effect from 1 May 2017. Mr Kepaletswe has a wealth of regulatory experience having been with BOCRA since October 1997. He is an Engineer by profession who served in various capacities up to the level of Deputy Chief Executive responsible for regulatory affairs.
The Board pledges its unwavering support to Mr Tshoganetso Kepaletswe and wishes him all the success in his new role as Acting Chief Executive.
Contact: Aaron Nyelesi
Deputy Director Corporate Communications
Bidders and the public are advised that BOCRA has extended the date of submission of application proposals. Please click here to access the Addendum document
Click the hyperlinked documents to access the:
Electronic Records and Evidence Act
Electronic Records (Evidence) Regulations
Application and assessment procedures for Content Service Provider (CSP) Licence-Digital Terrestrial television broadcasting services in Botswana for the Botswana Comunications Regulatory Authority.
Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority
Plot 50671 Independence Avenue
Gaborone, Botswana
T : +267 395 7755
F : +267 395 7976
