Local firm third mobile phone operator Malawi

Malawi awarded a local firm a mobile phone licence to become the third operator of phones in the Southern African country. The firm Global Advanced Integrated Networks Ltd beat other foreign mobile firms which had applied to run its services in the country.

The country’s Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) said that the firm outclassed other two other foreign bidders -- U.S. firm Global Telecoms and Econet, a South African and Zimbabwean-owned firm.

Macra’s official Zadziko Mankhambo said his body was happy with the local firm and hoped that it will promote competition in the telecommunications industry.

"We are hopeful that the company will promote competition in the telecommunications industry, thereby increasing the quality and affordability of the telecommunication services for the benefit of all people in Malawi," he said.

The mobile firm is expected to meet stiff competition from the market which already has Celtel Malawi and TNM Malawi.

Already Malawians have felt the competition of Celtel and TNM and recently the two took each other by the horns when they reduced the prices of their cell phones.

However Celtel still leads the show as it has more customers.