The Race for Malawi's 3rd Telecom is on.

MALAWI EYES THIRD MOBILE FIRM

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. With the exception of Econet, none of the bidders have an existing presence in Africa. Of the big three, Celtel is already an operator but neither MTN or Vodacom have bid.

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