Basics
Botswana has three mobile networks:
- Mascom Wireless
- Orange Botswana
- be Mobile
It has a fairly good coverage and speeds for African standards. 2G is mainly on 900 and some 1800 MHz, 3G/UMTS on 2100 MHz and 4G/LTE started in 2015/6 on 1800 MHz.
Wide areas of the country are not covered by the mobile network, in towns and villages you can expect some coverage. The map for the two main providers is improving each year, but when deciding whether to get a local SIM card, remember that there’s simply no mobile coverage across large parts of the country (including much of the Kalahari and Okavango Delta). That said, the main highway system is generally covered.
Since 2008 all SIM cards need to be registered. So be prepared to show a photo ID for purchase. Nano SIM cards may need to be cut to size if not available.
Mascom Wireless
Mascom Wireless, a private Botswanan mobile company controlled by South African MTN is the market leader in the country. It has 52% of the nation's subscribers and the best coverage. In 2014 their 3G covered 70% of the population. In 2015 Mascom started with 4G/LTE in Gaborone.
Availability
Their prepaid SIM card is called 'Flexi Plan'. It is sold on the streets, but for registration you should better go to one of their shops (list). Top-up vouchers you can find everywhere in the country.
Data feature packages
Default rate outside packages is P 1.05 per MB. They offer these data bundles:
- My Mix bundles (combo packs, volume based):
- 150 MB + 10 dom. mins + 20 SMS for 2 days: P 20
- 400 MB + 20 dom. mins + 40 SMS for 14 days: P 79
- 800 MB + 30 dom. mins + 80 SMS for 30 days: P 149
- My Meg bundles (volume based):
- 14 MB for 14 days: P 9.50
- 30 MB for 14 days: P 19.50
- 70 MB for 30 days: P 45
- 130 MB for 30 days: P 80
- 250 MB for 45 days: P 150
- 500 MB for 60 days: P 300
- 1.2 GB for 60 days: P 600
- My Time bundles (time based, valid for 30 days):
- 1 hour: P 10
- 5 hours: P 50
- 10 hours: P 100
- Night bundle: unlimited data from midnight to 5am, per night: P 10
All bundles can be activated by *123# <call> and choosing the appropriate bundle. This is how to check data credit too.
More info
- APN: internet.mascom
- Website: http://www.mascom.bw
Orange Botswana
Orange by French Télécom is the second operator in the country with a 27% market share. It has a lower coverage, but they were the first to start with 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz to be available in Gaborone and some other towns in 2015: 2G/3G/4G coverage map.
Availability
Their prepaid starter kit is sold for P 9.90 and including P5.00 cross-net and P5.00 on-net worth of airtime plus 10 domestic SMS. You can get it on the street or in their shops (list) for registration.
Top-ups can be made by scratch cards sold all over the country for P10, P20, P50 (+ 10% bonus) and P100 (+ 20% bonus). The bonus is only valid for 14 days but can be used to buy packages. To top-up type *155*<card PIN># <call>.
Data feature packs
Data outside of bundles is P 0.95 per MB. These bundles are offered:
| Volume | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10 MB | 1 day | P 2 |
| 15 MB | 15 days | P 9.50 |
| 30 MB | 15 days | P 18 |
| 60 MB | 1 day | P 10 |
| 75 MB | 15 days | P 45 |
| 150 MB | 2 days | P 20 |
| 150 MB | 15 days | P 85 |
| 300 MB | 15 days | P 170 |
| 400 MB | 14 days | P 79 |
| 550 MB | 30 days | P 299 |
| 2 GB | 60 days | P 399 |
| 5 GB | 60 days | P 799 |
| 10 GB | 60 days | P 1399 |
To activate, type *148# and choose the bundle.
More info
- APN: internet.orange.co.bw
- Website: http://www.orange.co.bw
be Mobile (by BTC)
Be Mobile is the brand name of the state-owned rebranded Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), that combines the operations of fixed line operator BTCL and wireless operator beMobile. It's the third operator with 16% market share, the lowest coverage and the most unreliable service in the country. 4G/LTE has started in 2016 in Gaborone.
Availability
Their prepaid starter set called SIM+ can be found in their shops (list) for P 10. It contains P 10 airtime, 10 MB data per month and 10 SMS per month both valid for 6 months.
Data feature packs
Out of bundle rate is P 0.99 per MB. These bundles are offered:
| Price | Volume | Bonus | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P 6 | 7 MB | 1 MB | 1 month |
| P 10 | 14 MB | 2 MB | |
| P 20 | 30 MB | 5 MB | |
| P 50 | 75 MB | 15 MB | |
| P 100 | 160 MB | 25 MB | 2 months |
| P 200 | 250 MB | 30 MB | |
| P 275 | 500 MB | 40 MB | |
| P 500 | 1 GB | 250 MB |
For activation type code *180#. Bonus data stays always valid for 1 month.
More info
- APN: internet.be
- Website: http://www.btclmobile.co.bw/