Malawi seeks 4th operator

Malawi has released a tender for a fourth mobile phone operator, in a bid to reduce tariff rates; which are among the highest in southern Africa, reports Reuters.

Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika has been critical of the current operators in the country, accusing them of providing a sub-standard service and high tariffs.

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority spokesman, Zamuziko Makambo, says: "Currently we have three operators, namely Zain, Telekoms Networks Malawi, and Gmobile, but we want another operator to help reduce the cost of doing business and improve the quality of telecommunication services.”

Mobile giant Zain has appointed Nabil Bin Salama as its chief executive, states Sudan Vision.

The Zain board of directors say they are confident of Salema's efforts in driving the company's future and maximising shareholder value.

In 2009, he served as Kuwait's minister of communication, electricity, and water following many years in the public sector.

Egypt's Orascom Telecom may sell its Algerian operations, says the Wall Street Journal.

Orascom chairman Naguib Sawiris says: "We are keen to stay in Algeria; it's one of our main assets and until this incident we were very happy there. But we need to understand if our investment is welcome there or not. If not, we will consider other options.”

Orascom's Algerian subsidiary has been contesting a $600 million tax bill going back to 2005. The company is also locked in a long-standing dispute with France Telecom SA over a Mobinil joint venture in Egypt.