4G technology boosts Orange’s data traffic

Orange Botswana says the roll out of its recently launched world class 4G technology is going well as the company has dramatically improved accessibility of superfast mobile internet in Gaborone.
Orange Botswana Director of Corporate Affairs Lepata Mafa revealed during a media interaction session that usage of the 4G technology has been growing by leaps and bounds since its commercial launch mid February. She stated that 4G is rapidly changing mobile behaviour as customers have increased data usage by watching television and video, using mobile office applications, streaming music and using other rich multimedia applications on the go.
┬á “As the only operator to have successfully launched 4G to the market in Botswana, we have unique insight into how the technology is changing behaviour,” said Mafa.
┬áShe further said mobile devices have effectively become mini TVs with video traffic already making up a considerable proportion of the data traffic on Orange’s 4G network. Asked to explain the impact of 4G launch on 3G and 2G customers, Mafa said Orange believes 4G systems are more efficient at using the valuable wireless spectrum. She added that these spectral efficiency improvements support new high-speed services as well as larger numbers of users.
┬á“Because 4G users download greater volumes of data much faster, this frees up network resources for other users of 2G and 3G that use network resources at a slower rate,” she said.
 To take advantage of the 4G technology, Orange also introduced an affordable device called Orange Roya, which is specifically designed to take advantage of the 4G network.
“The Orange Roya is Botswana’s most affordable 4G phone. It is a 4G android smart-phone that offers specifications and features traditionally associated with more expensive devices,” said Mafa.
Orange’s national 4G rollout plans are also on track as the company intends to launch the technology in areas like Francistown, Palapye and Maun. Currently there are 25 live Orange 4G sites in Gaborone, which cover areas like Extension 10, Game City, Gaborone West Industrial, BBS, Broadhurst Water Tank, Gabs BDO, Broadhurst Industrial, Universal Estate, PPC Cement, RIPCO, Village, Block 8 DTC, Phakalane, Camphill, Poso House, Fairgrounds, Tirelo House, MASA (CBD), Limkokwing, Gaborone Sun, Block 10, SSKI Airport, Time Project, Badiri Park and Block 3 Industrial.
┬á“Orange Botswana will continue to increase the number of sites for the benefit of its customers and soon we will have more than 40 4G sites in Gaborone,” said Mafa.
 The company also plans to have 101 sites across the country in two cities Gaborone and Francistown, together with 30 towns and villages which include Mogoditshane, Tlokweng, Gabane, Oodi, Mmopane, Metsimotlabe, Thamaga, Jwaneng, Molepolole, Goodhope, Kanye, Mochudi, Mahalapye, Lobatse, Ramotswa, Letlhakane, Palapye, Shoshong, Serowe, Madinare, Selebi Phikwe, Nata, Orapa, Tatisiding, Masunga, Tutume, Ghanzi, Kasane, Tsabong and Maun.