Table of Contents Glossary ....................................................................................................................................3 Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................4 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................6 2 Background ...................................................................................................................8 3 Development of the Strategy ......................................................................................10 4 Definitions and Rationale............................................................................................12 4.1 Definition of Rural Telecommunications ...............................................................12 4.2 Rationale for Rural Program ...................................................................................12 5 Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................14 6 Rollout Plan .................................................................................................................15 6.1 Community Consultations ......................................................................................15 6.2 Development of the Criteria ....................................................................................15 6.3 Eligibility Criteria .....................................................................................................16 6.4 Prioritization of Localities .......................................................................................16 6.5 Publication ...............................................................................................................17 7 Regulatory environment .............................................................................................18 7.1 Licensing Framework ..............................................................................................18 7.2 Allocation of Scarce Resources .............................................................................19 7.3 Consumer Protection ..............................................................................................19 7.4 Interconnection........................................................................................................19 7.5 Infrastructure Exclusivity ........................................................................................20 7.6 Cross Border............................................................................................................20 8 Services .......................................................................................................................21 8.1 Services Offered ......................................................................................................21 8.2 Affordability .............................................................................................................21 9 Program Implementation ............................................................................................22 9.1 Introduction of Competition ....................................................................................22 9.2 Cost Effective Solutions..........................................................................................22 9.3 Build, Operate and Maintain ...................................................................................23 9.4 Botswana Registered Companies ..........................................................................23 9.5 Ownership ................................................................................................................23 10 Program Funding.........................................................................................................25 10.1 Funding of RTDF .....................................................................................................25 10.2 Implementing Agency .............................................................................................26 10.3 Operations Subsidy .................................................................................................26 11 Program Monitoring ....................................................................................................27 12 Key Stakeholder Roles ................................................................................................31 12.1 Government .............................................................................................................31 12.2 Regulator ..................................................................................................................31 12.3 Service Provider ......................................................................................................32 12.4 Consumer.................................................................................................................32 Rural Telecommunications Strategy 26 October 2006 2