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tnm in a double launch- 24/September/2008
By Janet Nsanja, The Nation Newspaper
In a bid to serve its customers better mobile phone network operator tnm on 23 September launched a missed call notification service and a free SMS promotion to run from until October 31 this year
Speaking at the launch in Blantyre, tnm marketing communications manager Sobhuza Ngwenya said the promotion is aimed at celebrating the launch of the new SMS system/platform which tnm has just installed.
"The promotion will offer free SMS to customers upon recharge. Subscribers will get a specific number of SMSs depending on the recharge voucher Post-paid customers need to keep their numbers active and will get 10 free SMSs a day." he said
Ngwenya adde that the SMSs will be valid for the whole period of the promotion.
Chipping in, tnm products marketing manager Dan Makata assured subscribers that the company is working on capacity upgrades especially in towns so that congestion is reduced in specific areas.
"tnm got overwhelming response when this free SMS promotion was under trial. On a normal day there are 500,000 SMS sent but during this time there were 2.7 million SMSs," said Makata.
The missed call notification service captures and stores incoming call information until a subscriber's handset registers back on the network.
"The tnm missed call notification will send a message to the customer listing the number of calls they missed. To set up for the service dial **62*0888820600#, then press Call or OK," he said.
tnm pumps K5 million for youth project
Daily Times Newspaper
 tnm has partnered with Youth Net and Counselling (Yoneco) and will sponsor youth development programmes to the tune of K5 million for a period of three years.
Announcing the development in Zomba on 16th September 2008 during a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding, tnm Chief Executive Officer Werner Schrijver said as a Malawian company, his company was proud to be associated with initiatives that focus on the development of Malawian communities at large especially the youths.
"This is part of our social obligation to the vulnerable that cannot play a meaningful role to development if left unassisted. "Children are the future of the nation and promoting a better future for the youth and women is crucial for the development of any nation," Schrijver said.
He further said tnm would commit itself to assist Yoneco's Tithandizane Toll Free Helpline and refurbishment and furnishing of Yoneco's Zomba Drop in Centre at a cost of K4.8 million.
The centre plays a crucial role to the youth and women when in difficult circumstances like domestic abuses.
tnm also presented a K2 million cheque as initial funding for the project.
Yoneco's Executive Director McBain Mkandawire said a lot of children in the country were being victimised in different ways and the helpline had provided solutions to many people including women.
"We are grateful with tnm's assistant. Since the child helpline concept in 2004, Yoneco has for the last two years received over 15,000 calls on various issues that needed counselling not only for the youth but also issues of violence against women," said Mkandawire.
Minister of Youth Development and Sports Vuwa Kaunda, who was present at the function, donated footballs and netballs to the youths.
tnm to offer 20% stakes
Daily Times Newspaper
tnm Limited says it would offer 20 percent of its shares to the public during its Initial Public Offer (IPO), the company's Chief Executive Offer Werner Schrijver said on 24 July 2008.
The CEO, speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre, said the company is expected to issue shares in excess of one billion at the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) this year.
This follows the confirmation from the local bourse that tnm Limited and Real Insurance are expected to offer their shares to the public during the last half of 2008
"We want to reinforce local ownership of tnm and we will also be the first telecommunications company to be listed on MSE.
The capital raised will be fully used to further develop our network capacity, quality and services," said Schrijver.
"Our programme is that the offer period would run in October but by mid September we will be ready with detailed information.
We will maintain our existing shareholders in the structure under the 80 percent and our employees will also be eligible to buy under their own scheme," said Schrijver.
The listing of tnm Limited and Real Insurance would bring the number of companies on MSB to 15 and would be the fist in the telecommunication sector.
tnm reduces phone prices and rolls out website
The Daily Times Newspaper
tnm Limited on Monday announced it has cut the price of its Nokia 1200 phone from K4,700 to K3,800 to effect from
July 1.
But that was not all. The company also introduced a branded tnm phone going at K2,800 and a website during a media briefing in Blantyre.
The company's publicist Ima Chalulu said the new website; www.tnm.co.mw has incorporated its corporate colours would feature other facilities latest information on products services such as special offers.
"The public has accepted our new brand and the now popular green colour and we would like e Malawi's premier mobile company of choice in terms of customer value and services," Chalulu said.
She said the slashing of the Nokia prices was in line with government's decision to scrape off customs duty on mobile phone. "But we have also done this to help more people especially those in the rural areas to have access to technology and in line with our vision we are introducing these products today and many more would come," said Chalulu.
In his presentation tnm Head of Business Development Charles Kamoto said the company would support government efforts to increase the country's mobile penetration which is very low in Southern Africa.
Available data shows that as of December 2007 Malawi's mobile phone penetration was at 7 percent, far below regional statistics. Kamoto said international research indicates that additional 10 percent of mobile penetration leads to 1.5 percent growth in GDP and as it is tnm would like to contribute in this through selling low cost handsets,'' said Kamoto.
A country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of all goods and services it has produced in a particular year, not including income from investments in other countries. As such tnm says with low priced mobile phones, more people will have access to technology and change for the better the way they conduct business. Kamoto added the company would target low income earners to buy the phones since the major challenge is to increase mobile penetration.
"Our interests as tnm in the handset is to increase penetration and not earn profits from the sales as other traders are aiming for. That is why we are taking the initiative to sell these phones. "We also hope that this would benefit individual customers and the economy in general through appreciation of the goods and services provided," said Kamoto.
During the event tnm announced that it has new coverage areas among them Thekerani, Fatima, Cape Maclear, Mchengautuwa, Lusangazi and would cover 40 new sites in July.
tnm partners Nokia & Alcatel
The Daily Times Newspaper
tnm Limited on Monday introduced a wide range of the products it intends to roll out in September in conjunction with global mobile phone giants Nokia with systems back up from Alcatel—another big name in the industry. Briefing top of the market customers in Blantyre Freek Meyer tnm Account Manager said the company would use Alcatel in the imlpementation of GPRS—a technology that would enable tnm customers easy access to internet and use advanced services on their mobile phones. In his presentation Wilkus Vorster Nokia Training Manager said his come would bring to Malawi top of the range mobile phones at an affordable price. tnm Chief Executive Werner Schrijver said his company would continue upgrading its network to address the needs of customers in line with its vision being the preferred network in the country.
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