Airtel Malawi’s operations will not come to a close anytime soon because the company’s application for a new operating license has been approved by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra).
MACRA said that this renewal meant that Airtel has the legal ground of being in service for the next ten years beginning next year February; but this is yet to be discussed further.
The second largest mobile operator had applied for the license this year in February, which was as per the requirements which requires an operator to apply for a renewal a year before the expiry of the existing license.
MACRA says it conducted a performance assessment on the company’s performance and compliance with its license terms and conditions during its operations from February 1999 to next year when its 15-year-long license will be expiring.
“The performance assessment conducted revealed significant contributions of Airtel Malawi to the country’s socio-economic growth, developed innovative products and services,” says the MACRA’s statement; which criticized Airtel for meeting consumer related obligations.
Saulos Chilima, Airtel Malawi’s Managing Director whose company is now expected to pay all applicable fees said that the company exists and potential customers as well as the general populace should expect more new good things from Airtel following the new license.
Before the official renewal process is done, the company and MACRA will negotiate a new set of terms and conditions that would take into account technology changes in the industry. Airtel Malawi will also have to undertake measures to meet minimum quality of service standards as well as other conditions necessary to address challenges experienced during its ending license.