Malawi opens tender for 4th mobile operator

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In a bid to reduce tariff rates which are among the highest in southern Africa, an international tender for a fourth mobile operator has been launched by Malawi. Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) decision also aims at boosting competition and improving services.

Zain, TNM and Gmobile are the three operators in the country and the regulator wants another operator to help reduce the cost of doing business and improve the quality of telecommunication services. These operators have been critically accused by Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika for providing a sub-standard service and high tariffs.

Last year, Macra awarded two licenses to La Cell and Expresso Telecom Group but later they were suspended.