LUSAKA Oct 16 (Reuters) – Zambia plans to lift a ban on the
entry of new mobile phone companies to increase competition and
improve cellular service, a minister said on Tuesday.
The southern African country of over 13 million people in
2009 banned additional mobile phone providers from entering
until 2015, citing concerns of drawing too many players into a
small market.
South Africa’s MTN Group, Bharti Airtel
unit Airtel Zambia and state-run Zamtel are the only
cellular carriers currently operating in Zambia.
“We think there is need to bring in a fourth operator and
this is under serious consideration,” Communications Minister
Christopher Yaluma told journalists.
Yaluma said several investors, who he declined to name, had
expressed interest to invest in the mobile phone business and
the government felt that would bring about competition.
(Reporting by Chris Mfula; Editing by David Dolan)
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