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country-profiles:malawi [2019/10/29 04:51] – [Malawi] malawicountry-profiles:malawi [2023/10/20 14:17] (current) – [Licensing Fees] removed broken links steve
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 ===== National Policy ===== ===== National Policy =====
-The Malawi [[Communications Act 1998]] later revised to [[Communications Act 2016]] and the [[E-Transactions Act 2016]], provide the framework for regulating the communications sector in Malawi. The Act was enacted to strengthen the Postal and Telecommunications and to provide for the regulation of the provision of services in the electronic communications sector, posts, information society; for the establishment of the [[Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority]], the [[Malawi Broadcasting Corporation]] and the [[Malawi Posts Corporation]]; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.+The Malawi [[http://www.macra.org.mw/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Communications-Act-2016.pdf|Communications Act 1998]] later revised to [[http://www.macra.org.mw/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Communications-Act-1998.pdf|Communications Act 2016]] and the [[http://www.macra.org.mw/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/E-Transactions-Act-2016.pdf|E-Transactions Act 2016]], provide the framework for regulating the communications sector in Malawi. The Act was enacted to strengthen the Postal and Telecommunications and to provide for the regulation of the provision of services in the electronic communications sector, posts, information society; for the establishment of the [[https://www.macra.org.mw|Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority]], the [[https://www.mbc.mw|Malawi Broadcasting Corporation]] and the [[http://malawiposts.com|Malawi Posts Corporation]]; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  
 The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) was established pursuant to Section 3 of the Communications Act, 1998 of the Laws of Malawi to regulate the country’s communications sector. MACRA now draws its mandate from the Communications Act of 2016 to regulate and monitor the provision of communications services and ensure that, as far as it is practicable, reliable and affordable communications services are provided throughout Malawi. The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) was established pursuant to Section 3 of the Communications Act, 1998 of the Laws of Malawi to regulate the country’s communications sector. MACRA now draws its mandate from the Communications Act of 2016 to regulate and monitor the provision of communications services and ensure that, as far as it is practicable, reliable and affordable communications services are provided throughout Malawi.
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 The legal frameworks are supported by the following Policy;  The legal frameworks are supported by the following Policy; 
-[[Malawi ICT Policy 2013]] +[[http://www.macra.org.mw/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Malawi-ICT-Policy-2013.pdf|Malawi ICT Policy 2013]] 
-[[National Access to Information Policy]] +[[http://www.macra.org.mw/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/National-Access-to-Information-Policy.pdf|National Access to Information Policy]] 
-[[The Malawi Digital Broadcasting Policy]] +[[http://www.macra.org.mw/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Malawi-Digital-Broadcasting-Policy.pdf|The Malawi Digital Broadcasting Policy]] 
-[[Doha 2012-13 Postal Strategy +[[http://www.macra.org.mw/downloads/Doha%202012-13%20Postal%20Strategy.pdf|Doha 2012-13 Postal Strategy]]
-]]+
  
  
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 The following categories of licences are issued in terms of spectrum usage and service provision. The following categories of licences are issued in terms of spectrum usage and service provision.
  
-GSM 900 / 1800 MHz. +  * GSM 900 / 1800 MHz. 
- +  * CDMA 450 / 850 MHz. 
-CDMA 450 / 850 MHz. +  * Fixed Links (2/6/7/12/13/14/18/23/28 GHz e.t.c.) 
- +  * HF Services (3 – 30 MHz) 
-Fixed Links (2/6/7/12/13/14/18/23/28 GHz e.t.c.) +  * Private Mobile Radio – PMR 
- +  * Aeronautical – AERO 
-HF Services (3 – 30 MHz) +  * Industrial, Scientific & Medical – ISM 
- +  * Sound broadcasting – FM 
-Private Mobile Radio – PMR +  * Television Broadcasting – VHF/UHF 
- +  * Amateur Services – AMR 
-Aeronautical – AERO +  * Centralized Alarm Services – CRA 
- +  * VSAT Services – VSAT / SOHO 
-Industrial, Scientific & Medical – ISM +  * Broadband Services – ISP Spectrum 
- +  * Paging Services – PG 
-Sound broadcasting – FM +  * 3G/ UMTS Services
- +
-Television Broadcasting – VHF/UHF +
- +
-Amateur Services – AMR +
- +
-Centralized Alarm Services – CRA +
- +
-VSAT Services – VSAT / SOHO +
- +
-Broadband Services – ISP Spectrum +
- +
-Paging Services – PG +
- +
-3G/ UMTS Services +
  
 **Postal Licences** **Postal Licences**
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 Postal services are part and parcel of communications services in Malawi just like elsewhere in the world. They are therefore included in the Authority’s mandate to license, monitor, inspect, regulate and ensure general improvement and equitable distribution of communications services in the country; in accordance with the provisions of the  Communications Act of 1998. Hence this Act requires all operators in the Malawian postal sector to obtain an Operator’s Licence issued by the Authority. Postal services are part and parcel of communications services in Malawi just like elsewhere in the world. They are therefore included in the Authority’s mandate to license, monitor, inspect, regulate and ensure general improvement and equitable distribution of communications services in the country; in accordance with the provisions of the  Communications Act of 1998. Hence this Act requires all operators in the Malawian postal sector to obtain an Operator’s Licence issued by the Authority.
  
-**License Application Forms** +{{ :country-profiles:converged_licensing_framework_overview.xlsx |Converged Licensing Framework}}
- +
-Our application forms are currently being reviewed and will be uploaded soon. For other licensing categories please download them [[here]] or follow the link below: +
- +
-[[Converged Licensing Framework]] +
- +
- +
  
 +{{ :country-profiles:clf_fee_schedule_-_31st_may_2016-1.pdf | Converged License Fee Schedule}}
 ==== Technical and Administrative Requirements ==== ==== Technical and Administrative Requirements ====
  
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 This categorisation and accompanying licence fees are reviewed from time to time. This categorisation and accompanying licence fees are reviewed from time to time.
- 
-Click on the link to view the license fee structure and download: 
- 
-[[CLF Licence Application Fees]] 
- 
-[[Spectrum Fee Schedule April 2017]] 
  
 ===== Access to Spectrum ===== ===== Access to Spectrum =====
  
-The regulated spectrum in Malawi effectively ranges between 9 KHz – 100 GHz. It should be noted that the management of spectrum should be effective as its use is also essential to government functions ranging from defence and public safety to air traffic control and weather forecasting. Spectrum Management is essential for maintaining access to radio spectrum for all users. Under the [[Communications Act (1998)]], MACRA is charged with the responsibility of spectrum planning; creating new allocations, fulfilling frequency planning coordination and assignments, issuing licences, regulating and administering the use of radio frequencies; and the monitoring and enforcement procedures. It is further responsible for establishing regulations, frequency fees structure, technical parameters and standards governing the use of each band ensuring that current international regulations are met.+The regulated spectrum in Malawi effectively ranges between 9 KHz – 100 GHz. It should be noted that the management of spectrum should be effective as its use is also essential to government functions ranging from defence and public safety to air traffic control and weather forecasting. Spectrum Management is essential for maintaining access to radio spectrum for all users. Under the [[http://www.macra.org.mw/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Communications-Act-2016.pdf|Communications Act (1998)]], MACRA is charged with the responsibility of spectrum planning; creating new allocations, fulfilling frequency planning coordination and assignments, issuing licences, regulating and administering the use of radio frequencies; and the monitoring and enforcement procedures. It is further responsible for establishing regulations, frequency fees structure, technical parameters and standards governing the use of each band ensuring that current international regulations are met.
  
 Spectrum Management also takes into account economic, political, cultural, health and social considerations so as to deal with the ever increasing demand for the supply of available radio spectrum. Spectrum Management also takes into account economic, political, cultural, health and social considerations so as to deal with the ever increasing demand for the supply of available radio spectrum.
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 Depending on the type of service to be licensed, frequencies shall be assigned based on “first-come, first-served” basis so long as frequencies are available and that the licensing requirements are satisfied. When spectrum shortage is anticipated or when specific government goals are being pursued to foster competition in a particular business sub-sector or for other specific reasons, this approach may be dropped and selection procedures adopted to ensure that spectrum is efficiently and effectively utilized. In situations of spectrum shortages, preference will also be given to those providing greater public benefits, the spectrum utilization and overall efficiency irrespective of date of receipt of the applications concerned. Depending on the type of service to be licensed, frequencies shall be assigned based on “first-come, first-served” basis so long as frequencies are available and that the licensing requirements are satisfied. When spectrum shortage is anticipated or when specific government goals are being pursued to foster competition in a particular business sub-sector or for other specific reasons, this approach may be dropped and selection procedures adopted to ensure that spectrum is efficiently and effectively utilized. In situations of spectrum shortages, preference will also be given to those providing greater public benefits, the spectrum utilization and overall efficiency irrespective of date of receipt of the applications concerned.
 Other assignment types that can be followed include Spectrum Auction, Beauty Contest, Spectrum Trading e.t.c. Other assignment types that can be followed include Spectrum Auction, Beauty Contest, Spectrum Trading e.t.c.
- 
-**Spectrum Pricing** 
- 
-A full table of prices applicable to terrestrial spectrum services is made available. 
-All users of frequencies shall be required to pay a fee, including Government Agencies or departments except those that are exempt from paying the applicable fees. The fees paid upon registration shall be renewable annually at a rate to be specified under the licence conditions. The price charged for the spectrum assigned will among other factors be dependent on such factors as size, level of competition and classification of spectrum (prime / non-prime) as well as the administrative overhead costs associated with monitoring and management, 
-The price that is charged for the spectrum will as much as practically possible be proportional to the derivable benefits and level of usage within the band. 
  
 **Exempt / Waiver categories** **Exempt / Waiver categories**
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 ==== Spectrum Fees / Costs ==== ==== Spectrum Fees / Costs ====
 +
 +=== Spectrum Pricing ===
 +
 +A full table of prices applicable to terrestrial spectrum services is made available.
 +All users of frequencies shall be required to pay a fee, including Government Agencies or departments except those that are exempt from paying the applicable fees. The fees paid upon registration shall be renewable annually at a rate to be specified under the licence conditions. The price charged for the spectrum assigned will among other factors be dependent on such factors as size, level of competition and classification of spectrum (prime / non-prime) as well as the administrative overhead costs associated with monitoring and management,
 +The price that is charged for the spectrum will as much as practically possible be proportional to the derivable benefits and level of usage within the band.
  
 === Application === === Application ===
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 ---- struct data ---- ---- struct data ----
 +countryprofile.regName : Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority
 +countryprofile.regAcronym : MACRA
 +countryprofile.regUrl : https://www.macra.org.mw/
 +countryprofile.regTwitter : https://twitter.com/MACRAMALAWI
 +countryprofile.regEmail : info@macra.org.mw
 +countryprofile.minName : Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies
 +countryprofile.minAcronym : MICT
 +countryprofile.minUrl : http://www.ict.gov.mw/
 +countryprofile.minTwitter : 
 +countryprofile.minEmail : principal.secretary@information.gov.mw
 ---- ----