The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has finally handed over the license to Lacell for the second time to operate mobile phone service after the first clearance was controversially withdrawn
The Malawi government has approved a new mobile provider in the country with the expectations of increasing competition and reducing prices.
According to experts, Malawi is one of the most expensive countries in the world to use mobile phones, and the nation’s telephone penetration is very low compared to the African average.
Lacell board chair Farook Sattar said the newly licensed mobile phone network operator had already invested $150 million and was ready to roll out its services. Lacell, which uses the brand name Smart Mobile, was expected to create a thousand jobs and provide coverage to the rural masses in Malawi. The company failed in a previous bid for a similar license in 2008 after it failed to meet the necessary criteria.
“It’s a challenge to come in at a later stage in a market where big market competitors already exist,” Sattar told reporters Monday in Blantyre. “However, we feel we will be able to bring significant value and innovations to the consumer of Malawi.
“We are hopeful that the coming in of another mobile service company would help in serving the people with good and quality mobile services as well as bridging the digital divide,” she said.
Lacell Chairperson Farook Sattar said the company plans to roll out its network by the first half of next year (2016).
“Our company will be able to bring in significant value and innovation to the consumers of Malawi,” he said.
Lacell becomes the fourth mobile service operator in the country after Telecom Network Malawi (TNM), Airtel Malawi, Access mobile and Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL).
