4 3.0 Main Findings of e-Readiness Study 3.1 The Benchmarking and Best Practices Study examined how Botswana compares in connectivity and ICT applications to seven other countries using common and internationally accepted comparators. The eReadiness Study was undertaken to provide a more detailed “snapshot” of Botswana today. Rather than looking to see how Botswana compares to other selected countries (as in the Benchmarking exercise), the eReadiness assessment examined the degree to which Botswana is prepared to participate in the Networked World. It is gauged by assessing the relative advancement in areas most critical for ICT adoption and the most important applications of ICT. The assessment looks at Access, Learning, Health, Society, Economy, and Legislation and Policy. The questions that were developed under these headings were answered through working with the various Task Forces, who in turn consulted with knowledgeable government officials and members of the private sector. 3.2 The e-Readiness Assessment completed in June 2004, showed that Botswana’s level of e-readiness was a contrast of extremes. The World Economic Forum (WEF) Global IT Report 2003-2004 currently ranks Botswana 55th in the world in terms of overall national connectivity, demonstrating that the country is already an active participant in the global information society. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure and telecommunications and has a high penetration of fibre connectivity running to the urban areas. It has a sophisticated Government Data Network (GDN) and Police Private Network delivering connectivity to all government departments and agencies via high-speed Internet and satellite links. Mobile telephone usage continues to soar. In March 2004, a BTA study indicated that 31% of the population (556,000) are using mobile phones. 3.3 Botswana has the distinct advantage of a world-renowned legal system, acknowledged for the integrity of its legal practices and its respect for the Rule of Law. It has a modern Telecommunications Act and a wellestablished regime of legal institutions. Many of the essentials for accelerating Botswana into the digital economy appear to be in place; however, there are also a number of major constraints that add substantial complexities and challenges. 3.4 In Botswana today, there is considerable disparity between rural and urban access to information and services – a “domestic information divide.” The majority of urban centres are relatively well supplied with radio, television, telephone and Internet access. The picture is significantly different in remote and rural areas, where even access to