Third mobile operator for Malawi

Johannesburg, (IT News Africa)–SOUTH Africa’s Beryl Capital is set to roll out Malawi’s third Mobile Phone network, G-Mobile, at a cost of US$90 million, an official told IT News Africa on Friday.

Beryl Managing Director, Vincent Ramphenyane, said the deal that incorporates the supply, installation and commissioning of G-Mobile network by December this year was endorsed by the Malawian Minister for Information Thotho Mwanza and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).

Ramphenyane says Beryl Capital intends to build and deliver a world-class and reliable telecommunications infrastructure which will give G-Mobile a competitive edge in the market.

He said in order to secure the critical mass, the rollout strategy, which includes the installation of voice and high speed data network and the provision of highly specialized training to build local capacity would be the first of its kind in Malawi.

Mr. Ramphenyane believes that the catalytic effect of a competitive telecommunications market on economies is crucial in boosting the fortunes of the people and therefore commended the government for awarding a license to a third mobile network operator.

“We recognize that Malawi’s mobile tariffs are among the highest in this part of Africa due to the dominance of only two players in the market, therefore we intend to galvanize competition and reinvigorate the market by aggressive roll out of products in all nooks and crannies of the country
and offering better services at more affordable rates to the people” Mr. Ramphenyane confidently remarked.

He noted that in spite of the long presence of the two GSM companies in the market, Beryl intended to leverage on its efficient and qualitative service in order to stimulate competition for the benefit of the consumers.

Mr. Ramphenyane disclosed that G-Mobile would be extending coverage to more cities in line with the company’s mission to cover the entire country in the shortest time possible and to avail more Malawians the opportunity of world-class services and innovative products in the tradition of the Beryl
Capital group.

The Executive Director, Neverl Kambasha, commenting on this development, said “For us at Beryl Capital, our vision is clear and our mission is sure; we will work towards a better coverage and we will offer better services than what Malawians are used to”.

Beryl is a multi-sectoral investment and financial firm with offices in South Africa, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and the United States.