Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has awarded a contract valued at more than R150 million to Siemens Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd and AST Botswana for the provision of rural telecommunication services. The project consists of a combination of Siemens Airspan access equipment (Wireless Local Loop) and SRT Telecom point-to-multi point radio equipment.
The significance of the wireless local loop solution is that it facilitates quick and easy roll-out of the network and eliminates potential copper theft, which has proven to be an impediment in the development of telecommunications in other regions.
In terms of the contract, Siemens will be responsible for both the Access and Transmission network, and AST Botswana will be responsible for the complete Outside Plant and Site infrastructure. AST Botswana and their approved sub-contractors, together with Siemens, will manage the local portion of the project.
"The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation project "Nteletsa" is poised to stimulate economic activity with massive rollout of telecommunications service into three districts with a population of more than 120,000 people", said Mr. Letsapa Mojaphoko Acting Chief Executive of BTC.
"Funded by the government of Botswana, project Nteletsa will see some of the small villages and settlements enjoying telecommunications services for the first time ever" concluded Mojaphoko.
The BTC initiative, funded by the Botswana government, will provide telecommunications services to approximately 150 villages in the rural areas of Southern and North Eastern Botswana and is a crucial element in the social upliftment of residents in these areas. The project will result in local employment as well as local and regional business development. The telecommunications infrastructure will also provide for Internet access, which will encourage economic growth and facilitate tele-education and primary health care to even the remotest of areas Botswana.
"Siemens views this contract as a privileged opportunity to participate in the economic growth and social development in Botswana and is delighted to be able to provide the required telecommunication solution, " said Thoko Mokgosi, managing director for fixed networks in Siemens Telecommunications. "The rollout of the network in Botswana is the start of providing telecommunications to people in rural areas and is an important investment in the future of the country".
"AST Botswana is aware of the limitless needs and demands that need to be addressed to ensure economic growth and development in Botswana," explains Super Koontse, MD of AST Botswana. "Therefore we are proud to be part of an initiative which will benefit not only the communities involved, but also business and government in promoting sustainable development and real economic growth in the country."
The roll-out of the network has already begun and rural subscribers will be using the system by the middle of February 2003.
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Siemens Information and Communications Group in South Africa is a leading provider of voice and data networks with a comprehensive portfolio of IP-based products and solutions for enterprises, carriers and service providers. It is an integral part of the Information and Communications (I and C) business segment of Siemens AG, which also comprises Information and Communication Mobile and Siemens Business Services. The I and C Group is divided into Carrier and Fixed Networks, which focus on providing customised solutions, including the integration of products, systems and technology, to suit both business and individual needs. With a strong foundation in the mobile networks arena, which includes established GSM infrastructure, products, solutions and services for the Next Generation Internet, and electronic business solutions, Siemens provides the full spectrum of mobile business solutions, allowing users to communicate and be connected to information and services any time and any place.
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AST's intellectual capacity, as well as the business model and strong customer base, forms the basis for the integrated services solutions business. Ideally positioned as a leading technology solutions company focused on selected industries, AST unlocks substantial value for its clients.
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