The company was formerly a government entity but is now a public entity listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange as Botswana Telecommunications Limited (BTCL).
History
BTC was established in 1980 to provide, develop, operate and manage Botswana's national and international telecommunications services. BTC is a parastatal in which the Botswana government holds 100% equity. BTC was the only telecommunications provider in Botswana until 1996 when an amendment of the BTC Act removed the monopoly of BTC and allowed indirect competition from two cellular companies, Mascom and Orange Botswana[1]
BTC's network is composed of an all-digital microwave and fibre optic system with digital exchanges at the main centres. The current network comprises 7,300 kilometres of microwave radio and fibre optic links between 12 main processors, each serving a specific area of the country. The switching units have a capacity of about 117 000 lines. Current services provided include national and international telephony, managed and data networks, very small aperture terminal (VSAT), private wires, leased circuits, toll free services, Internet, paging, public telephones, voice messaging, telex, packet switching, telegraph and customer premises.
BTC works closely with the two major mobile operators in Botswana namely Mascom and Orange Botswana. In 2008 BTC established a mobile arm, beMOBILE. On 1 November 2012 BTC was converted to and registered as a public company, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL).
BTCL also provides virtual telephony services, paging and data communication for corporate networks.
Corporate governance
Current members of the board of directors of BTCL are:
Lorato Boakgomo – Ntakhwana – Chairman of the board
For many years, BTC has been Botswana's largest supplier of fixed-line and associated communications services, and it has been providing telephony and other products to urban and rural centres across the country.[citation needed]The following main products and services are currently offered by BTC:
Installation and Rental, Prepaid, Operator Assisted, Toll Free, International pre-paid and postpaid, Postpaid, Public Phones and Scratch'n Dial, Service Call, International Payphones, ISDB BRI
BTC offers high speed, capped and uncapped Broadband Internet connection of up to 50 Mbps. This is made possible through various technologies within the BTC network.
Financial
In June 2016 BTCL published its first annual financial statements as a public company for the financial year end 31 March 2016. The company reported a loss of P371 million which was due to an impairment write down of P522 million, and had revenue of P1.512 billion which was a marginal increase from previous year. Total assets were at P1.949 billion while cash and cash equivalents was at P390 million. The company also declared a dividend of 5 thebe per share[2]
Subsequent to these results the share price started its decline from its high of P1.30 to P0.85 per share on 15 September 2016.
Timelines
BTC's Milestones
Year
Activity
1999
BTC Group records an all-time high profit of Pula 75.0 million. BTC Group enters into interconnect and backhaul network agreement with mobile operators. Customer connections increased to 144 195 lines.
2000
BTC Group loses market share. The new billing system creates doubts. BTC's image slide. Mobile operators skyrocket with their connections.
2001
Despite resolution of billing system problems, net profit declines to Pula 2.2 million. Wireless technology introduced in the local loop. BTC Group realises that it has lost significant market share to mobile operators. Introduces pre-paid technology.
2002
IDI of Ireland is invited to steady BTC Group. Restructuring commences with 600 staff retrenched, staff numbers dropping to less than 1,000. Government engages BTC Group for its Rural Development Programme (Nteletsa Project). BTC Group records an all-time high loss of Pula 39 million.
2003
VSAT technology introduced. Measures to improve technology and quality introduced.
2004
Profitability returns. Total restructuring cost Pula 162.0 million. International connectivity established through SAT 3 through South Africa. BTC Group endorses Government of Botswana's ICT plan – Maitlamo initiatives.
2005
BTC adopts Intelligent Network Platforms strategy and refocuses its strategy based on broadband data. Broadband is rolled out with ADSL in Gaborone. Profitability returns to 139.0 million.
2006
Telecommunication liberalisation announcement by the minister responsible for Science, Communication and Technology.
2007
BTC Group awarded a Public Telecommunications Operator licence.
2008
BTC Group launches its mobile service under the brand name "be Mobile"
2009
Aggressive rollout of the beMOBILE Network. Successful launch of converged product offering and expansion of broadband to entire Botswana
2016
BTC lists on the Botswana Stock Exchange
2017
BTC changes BeMobile to BTC MOBILE and adds the LTE network with a wide network coverage across Botswana
2018
BTC's Broadband Internet takes a giant leap from 20 Mbps to 50 Mbps this is made possible through various technologies within the BTC network.
Commitments
On 2 February 2010 Powertel Communications signed a Cross-Border Interconnection Agreement with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation. BTC agreed to provide Powertel with international bandwidth capacity for two years after the two organisations completed cross border fibre optic connections at Ramokgwebana in December 2009.[3][4]
BTC has committed to contribute P504 million to secure reliable bandwidth connection from an undersea fibre optic through the West African Cable System (WACS). BTC and Telecom Namibia both contribute equally as second tiers while regional giants like Vodacom, MTN, Neotel and Zain will contribute US$100 million (approximately P672 million) each for the development of the undersea cable that will link London with Africa.
BTC is also committed US$210 million into the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) to further increase Botswana's bandwidth capacity.
BTC to be privatized
In June 2010, the government of Botswana government planned to privatize BTC. The Sunday Standard reported that Presidential Affairs Minister, Lesego Motsumi told parliament that the cabinet has taken a decision regarding the privatization structure of BTC and the information will be communicated with all stakeholders soon. Lesego Motsumi stated that the aim of the privatization was to minimize risks, and get maximum benefits. She added that the government had to carry out extensive consultations before going ahead with the plans.[5]
BTCL listing
BTCL listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange on 8 April 2016 at P1 per share and total valuation of P1.05 billion (1.05 billion shares). The listing was muchly awaited and was oversubscribed but individual citizen were given preference over company. The shares were allocated 51% to the government of Botswana, 5% to employees of BTCL and 44% to Batswana and Botswana companies. The shares were largely restricted for the benefit of Batswana and are traded among Batswana and companies benefiting for Batswana e.g. funds managers.[6]
The share price spiked on listing and continued its to rise to high of P1.30 per share then subsequently declined upon announcements of financial year results of a P371 million loss. The share is currently trading at P0.85 per share 15 September 2016.[citation needed]
It was announced that Paul Taylor, who had led BTCL to its transformation and subsequent listing would not have his contract renewed at end of his contract which ended in July 2016. Anthony Masunga was then appointed acting managing director.[7]
On 1 November 2012, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation ( BTC ) was converted from a statutory body into a public company limited by shares, in accordance with the Transition Act and Companies Act, and renamed Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited.
^"Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2010.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) . Retrieved 07-13-2010
