Malawi is expected to have a third mobile telecommunications company operational by the end of the year, says Alex Makhwatha, director of finance and administration at the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra).
The communications regulator last year invited applications for a mobile telecoms operating licence. The initiative was a directive from the Malawian Ministry of Information and Tourism.
Of the 11 operators that received bidding documents, only five submitted applications, says a Macra statement.
The companies that submitted their applications and met the appropriate standards are South African-based Econet Wireless, Malawian-based Malcom, Globally Advanced Integrated Networks, Megatel Communications and US-based Millennium Global Telecom, says Makhwatha.
"The regulator is assessing the potential operators and will make a final decision within a few months."
Makhwatha says the presence of a third mobile operator will create competition that can be beneficial to the Malawian populace. "Competition is an obvious step to bring down high tariffs in the country."
The other mobile operating firms in Malawi are Celtel and Telekom Networks, with around 60 000 subscribers. Makhwatha believes there is scope for a third mobile operator in a country with a population of 11 million people.
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