Airtel to reduce rates

Mobile telecommunications firm Airtel is expected to reduce it calling rates this week, a development Information and Civic Education Minister Patricia Kaliati has welcomed as a milestone in the sector.

Airtel public relations officer Edith Tsilizani confirmed the development, but said an official announcement will be made later under a promotion banner of Yabooka.

In a separate interview, Kaliati said she had been officially communicated on the development and that it was important for the sector to grow by making the services affordable to all Malawians.

“People have been complaining on the high cost of making a phone call, this is something we have been looking forward to. It means the business environment is right and we are moving in the right direction where calls are affordable,” said Kaliati.

The new rates will be between 11 percent to 15 percent with affordable bundles being at night starting as low as K5 per minute which will see prices fall from K51.26/K59.26 to K24.60/K32.81

Talking and data bundles have also been reduced and peak and off peak times have been shifted from the current 5am – 11pm being peak 11pm – 5am and as off peak to 7am – 10pm and 10pm – 7am, respectively.