BotsREN eduroam Service

Welcome to eduroam in Botswana
Connecting Education and Research Institutions in Botswana with Secure, Global Roaming Internet Access.

ABOUT EDUROAM

What is eduroam?

Eduroam (education roaming) is a secure, world-wide wireless network access service developed for the international research and education community. It allows students, researchers, and staff from participating institutions to seamlessly connect to the internet at any eduroam-enabled location worldwide using their home institution credentials.

How eduroam Works

Eduroam is based on a federated authentication model where users authenticate using their home institution’s credentials. When a user attempts to connect at a participating institution, their authentication request is securely routed to their home institution for validation, granting them seamless access. This eliminates the need for guest credentials or additional configurations at visited institutions.

BotsREN eduroam Adherence

BotsREN fully adheres to the eduroam Regional Coordination (RC) policy, ensuring compliance with global standards.

Eduroam Coverage in Botswana

Below is an interactive map showing the institutions currently providing eduroam connectivity. Click on a location to view more details about the institution.

Participating Institutions

Identity Providers (IdPs)

Institutions that allow their users to connect to eduroam globally:

  • University of Botswana
  • Botswana International University of Science & Technology (BIUST)
  • Botho University
  • Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA)
  • Botswana Accountancy College (BAC)
  • Institute of Development Management
  • Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN)

Service Providers (SPs)

Institutions that provide eduroam connectivity on their premises:

  • University of Botswana
  • Botswana International University of Science & Technology (BIUST)
  • Botho University
  • Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA)
  • Botswana Accountancy College (BAC)
  • Institute of Development Management
  • Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN)



Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose eduroam?

  • Seamless Connectivity: Access the internet at thousands of locations worldwide without additional logins.
  • Enhanced Security: Uses WPA2/WPA3 encryption for secure authentication.
  • Cost-Efficient: Free access for users at participating institutions.
  • Global Access: Connect at universities, research centers, libraries, and even airports around the world.

Who can use eduroam?

Any student, staff, or researcher from a participating institution.

Is eduroam free?

Yes, eduroam is free to use for all users from participating institutions.

Can I use eduroam outside Botswana?

Yes, eduroam is available in over 100 countries worldwide.

What technology does eduroam use?

Eduroam uses the IEEE 802.1x standard for communication between the access point and the user’s home institution. This standard includes the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), which supports various authentication methods. The two most commonly used EAP methods in eduroam are EAP-TTLS and EAP-PEAP. A secure tunnel is established between the user’s device and their home institution, allowing the actual authentication data (like username and password) to be transmitted securely.

Is eduroam safe to use?

Eduroam employs the highest security standards for encryption and authentication, surpassing those of typical commercial hotspots. However, users should be aware that while using the internet at an eduroam hotspot, the local security measures at that site also apply. This means that firewall settings and available services at the visited institution may differ from what the user is accustomed to at home.

Does eduroam work on different platforms?

Eduroam supports open standards, making it accessible across various platforms, including Windows, Linux, BSD, macOS, Android, and even Windows CE.

How can we deploy eduroam in our organization?

To set up eduroam in your organization, please contact the Botswana Research and Education Network (BotsREN).