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Thursday 24 July 2008

Malawi consortium wins cell phone licence

Malawi has awarded a mobile phone service licence to Global Advanced Integrated Networks Ltd, making the local consortium the third operator to enter the southern African nation's growing cell phone market.

Malawi's Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) said on Wednesday that the consortium beat out two other bidders -- U.S. firm Global Telecoms and Econet, a South African and Zimbabwean-owned firm.

"We hope 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 the country," said Zadziko Mankhambo, an official with the regulatory body.

The consortium, which consists of Malawian executives and entrepreneurs, will compete with Celtel Malawi and Telekom Networks Malawi.

Celtel Malawi is the country's leading cellphone service provider, with more than 1 million customers.

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