Botswana Fibre Networks Limited (BoFiNet) is enhancing internet traffic flows within the country through the launch of the digital Delta Internet Exchange Point (Digital Delta IXP).
The initiative aims to enable internet service providers, mobile operators, content providers and cloud service providers to exchange local traffic directly at a national level, rather than routing it through international networks.
According to the company, the move marks the next chapter in Botswana's digital transformation journey, building on the foundation laid by the Digital Delta Data Centre (DDDC) — the state's first and only Uptime Institute Tier III-certified, carrier-neutral facility of its scale, BoFiNet said.
Digital Delta IXP aims to improve internet speeds, reduce costs for operators and consumers, and create a more resilient internet ecosystem, positioning Botswana as a regional digital hub and gateway for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Mobile cellular connections in Botswana have reached approximately 4.22 million, recent analyses show. Industry updates from local providers such as Mascom also indicate active cellular connections running over the four-million mark, translating to a mobile penetration rate of between 164% and 166% for a population of roughly 2.6 million people.
ITWeb Africa reported in November that the country was looking to host the SADC regional internet exchange, which would strengthen its position as the bloc's primary digital gateway.
BoFiNet said at the time that the competition to host the bloc's internet exchange came against the backdrop of the company's durable fibre network, developed over the past 12 years.
This capacity comprises various undersea cables as well as multi-route terrestrial networks that traverse SA and Namibia.
BoFiNet CEO Dr Geoffrey Seleka described the IXP as a defining moment for the nation's digital economy.
"The world is transforming at a pace we have never witnessed before. From the Internet of Things to cloud computing and big data, the global economy is being built on a foundation of ones and zeros. In this new reality, data is the most valuable currency, and the infrastructure that houses, protects, and connects it is the bedrock of national prosperity. Speed, security, and reliability dictate how relevant one remains in this fast-paced digital world," Seleka said.
He added: "While the DDDC provides the vault for our nation's digital assets, the next logical step is to ensure that this data moves with speed, efficiency and intelligence. This is where the next chapter of Botswana's digital journey begins."
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