The local telecommunications sector is facing mounting challenges as mobile and internet subscriptions continue to decline, according to the latest report from Statistics Botswana. While mobile money services have gained traction, the broader trends in connectivity signal growing concerns for local mobile operators that could be further amplified by the entry of global satellite internet provider Starlink.
The Botswana Information & Communication Technology Stats Brief Q4 2023 highlights a 1.3% drop in mobile cellular subscriptions, falling from 4,498,792 in Q3 2023 to 4,440,314. Fixed telephone subscriptions also declined slightly by 0.4%, reflecting a consistent downward trend in traditional telecom services.
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