CONECTED FUTURE BTC launches VoLTE to transform mobile experience in Botswana

Call interruptions, muffled voices, and those awkward moments of repeating “hello…hello?” may soon be history. This Tuesday, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) officially launched Voice over LTE (VoLTE), becoming the first mobile operator in the country to introduce the advanced voice technology. The announcement followed days of countdown teasers that had Batswana wondering what “something special” could be, and the reveal did not disappoint.

BTC’s Mobile Product Manager, Gomolemo Mmopelwa, explained during a radio interview that VoLTE is about embedding international-standard technology into the existing 4G/LTE network. He said that while subscribers have long used 2G and 3G for voice and 4G for data, the new service now allows voice calls to run directly on the 4G network. “On that 4G or LTE network you are using for data or internet services, we want you to also be able to call or use voice services over it because it is guaranteed to give you quality. Using the voice services over that LTE or 4G network, your voice is clear end to end,” he explained.

For subscribers, the benefits are immediate. Calls connect almost instantly, voices sound clearer with HD quality, and users can browse, stream, or chat online while talking on the phone without interruptions. The technology also improves battery efficiency since phones no longer need to switch between networks, and it enables seamless roaming across Africa and globally. Importantly, VoLTE comes at no extra cost, with calls billed as normal voice calls deducted from airtime or bundles rather than data.

Mmopelwa stressed that BTC’s decision to pioneer VoLTE was driven by the company’s commitment to treat customers as premium users and to give them a better experience. He noted that BTC has been rolling out infrastructure across the country to prepare for this launch, ensuring that more areas have access to the 4G network. “This goes to show we treat our customers as premium customers – with equality,” he said, adding that the move is part of BTC’s broader digital transformation agenda aligned with government’s mandate.

Activating VoLTE is straightforward for subscribers with compatible devices. On iPhones, users can enable it through the settings menu under cellular options, while Android users can switch it on under mobile networks. Once activated, the phone will display BTC LTE or BTC 4G at the top of the screen, with a VoLTE or HD icon appearing during calls.

BTC has invested heavily in infrastructure to make this possible, and the company hopes the service will attract more subscribers while improving the overall customer experience.

PULA24 SAYS: Crystal-clear calls, faster connections, and the freedom to browse while you chat ….  BTC’s VoLTE promises to change how the nation connects. For Batswana, the launch is more than just a technical upgrade; it is a step toward a fully connected future where clarity, speed, and reliability become the new standard in mobile communication. it is time they really Live Connected! The real test will be whether this digital leap finally silences the frustrations of dropped calls and fuzzy conversations that have long plagued mobile users.