from MAVHUTO BANDA in Lilongwe, Malawi
Malawi Bureau
LILONGWE, (CAJ News) – THE government and Airtel Malawi, the country’s largest mobile network operator, are engaging to address the challenges faced by subscribers.
These include the drop of calls and disruptions on the internet, which have resulted in public outcry.
Officials from Airtel on Wednesday met the leadership of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to address the issue.
Harold Msusa Secretary for ICT, said this was part of engagements with operators to address issues faced by subscribers.
“We thought it wise that we should meet the regulator and mobile operators to ask them why and what they are doing to address the challenge,” he said.
Mayamiko Nkoloma, Acting Director General of MACRA, said improving digital communication was a top priority for the new administration.
“We want solutions not meetings. Now is the time to run and take action,” he said.
Nkoloma disclosed the regulator has prioritised work with the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of Malawi to address forex issues and ensure that the ICT sector got the necessary support.
Ashish Dutt, Airtel Malawi Managing Director, blamed the challenges faced by subscribers to the cutting of fibre cables, among others.
The operator has since pledged to address the issues within a month, with a phased approach focusing on key areas with high population density.
Airtel Malawi has around 8,1 million subscribers.
– CAJ News