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tnm invests K3.9 Billion in network upgrade
By Janet Nsanja, The Daily Times
tnm one of the country's two mobile phone network operator, announced on Wednesday that it has invested about K3.9 billion (US$28 million) in network and system upgrade in a bid to deliver on its mission statement of being Malawi's premier mobile company of choice offering the best in class of mobile telecommunication services to people everywhere.
Briefing journalists on the development at tnm's head office in Livingstone Towers, Blantyre, the company's chief technical officer David Chetty said the upgrading process is aimed at giving quality service to the customer.
He said the upgrade would also allow tnm to provide enhanced value added services, new coverage areas and more capacity, among the many benefits.
"In the first half of this year we have achieved many goals including the improvement of international voice quality since we have our own V-SAT, a new equipment room at Livingstone Towers and capacity upgrade of 27 sites across the country," said Chetty.
He added that there will be integration of the recently installed New Generation Home Location Register (NGHLR) which stores all subscriber information scheduled for this Sunday, June 15,2008.
"As part of the process in upgrading the tnm network, there will be minor disruptions. We, therefore, request all subscribers to please switch their phones off and on the morning of June 15," said Chetty.
According to Chetty, the network upgrade will allow tnm to provide such services as pre-paid roaming, voice mail, introduction of multimedia messages and WAP services, upgrading of the short message service (SMS) and USSD plus introduction of dan services like the GPRS and EDGE.
In his remarks, tnm chief executive officer Werner Schrijver said the company is keen to deliver in such areas as customer value, customer service and registering consistent and predictable growth.
"In line with our brand promise of ' always with you ' we want to enable people and businesses to realise their full potential. In so doing our mobile services will contribute in the growth and development of the Malawi economy," he said.
tnm was launched on December 15,1995 as the country's first mobile phone network operator trading as Telekom Networks Malawi Limited (tnm) under a joint venture partnership between the Malawi Government through the Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) which owned 40 percent stakes in the company and Telekom Malaysia which held 60 percent.
In April 2007 Telekom Malaysia pulled out from tnm as part of its strategy to concentrate on investments closer to its homeland. It was then that the company rebranded to tnm after being taken over by indigenous Malawian investors trading as MTL Mobile, a wholly Malawian owned firm bought the 60 percent shares. MTL Mobile investors comprise Press Corporation Limited (PCL), Old Mutual pic and Livingstone Investments owned by First Merchant Bank Limited.
Privatised fixed phone network operator MTL, 80 percent owned by a consortium led by PCL owns the remaining 40 percent in tnm.
Zeni Zeni hits finale
By Janet Nsanja, The Daily Times
 Mobile phone network operator tnm has thanked its subscribers for the support and participation in the 10-week Zeni Zeni Promotion. tnm held the last weekly draw on Thursday but the grand prize of Kl million cash is still yet to be drawn when all entries will be entered.
tnm marketing manager Wilma Chalulu said the promotion has been a success as judged by the commitment from customers.
"There are many more exciting promotions to come in the course of the year. Apart from promotion, we will be introducing new services on the upgraded network," she said.
Chalulu said the Kl million grand draw will have entries of all subscribers who recharged between April 2 and June 10 this year.
"This is to say all entries of the promotion will be entered into this final draw," she said. Chalulu All entries will be entered into grand draw for K1 million.
During the final draw, winners of the first and third prizes of K500,000 and Kl00,000, respectively, could not be reached through their mobile numbers while winner of the second prize of K250.000, Bridget Machado of Zomba, said she will invest the money in the grocery business she runs at hinamwali Market.
Mbilizi, Patel, Madukani triumph in tnm tourney
BY DUNCAN MLANJIRA, The Nation Newspaper
Rota Mbilizi, teenager Nikita Patel and Zomba-based Sheila Madukani stole the show on Sunday when they became winners in their divisions during the tnm-sponsored Ladies Strokeplay championship at Blantyre Sports Club. Mbilizi, playing off handicap 9, scored a total gross of 164 in Championship Division to shrug off stiff competition from Zelda Humphreys (handicap 12), who posted gross 180.
There were only three players in championship division and the third was Mulanje-based Heather Rice, who scored gross 202. However, 15-year-old Nikita Patel took centre stage when she scored gross 178 to win A Division title and she also received prizes for overall nett of 137 after she posted best nett on both days. Even captain Mbilizi applauded the teenager, saying Patel was a promising golfer with a positive attitude to the game.
"She played excellent golf on both days," Mbilizi said. "She has a positive mind and I believe her achievement can inspired more girls to start playing golf." Patel, a St. Andrews High School student, said she started playing golf two years ago and was enjoying every moment of it. "I am very proud to have won this tournament," she said.
Her runner-up was Jenny Mullock, who scored 199 gross while Brenda Green came third also with 199 but was counted out. Zomba-based Madukani, playing at BSC for the first time, won in B Division after scoring gross 241 beating challenge from Agnes Mwase on 248. There were only four in B Division and the others were E. Mayer and Gloria Fiwa. A Division had 19 golfers. Team event was won by Patel, Rice, Fiwa. Stella Ng'oma and Alet Davy, who posted a total gross of 587. Mbilizi applauded the ladies for their good patronage: "This was a terrific field of 26 ladies and I thank the golfers who came all the way from Lilongwe, Zomba and Mulanje. "The number of golfers is now going up and we thank tnm for supporting us.
"We enjoyed our game and I am glad that you will sponsor us again next year," she said. She also said they were proud that tnm's Chief Executive Werner Shrijver graced the occasion. "This shows the importance that tnm attaches to the ladies golf development," she said. Shrijver said he was honoured that the ladies enjoyed themselves and that tnm was very proud to be associated with their game. "This is a big event and definitely we will sponsor again next year," he said amid a huge round of applause. tnm spiced up the prize presentation by treating the ladies to a disco, cocktail and braai.
tnm also sponsors Monthly Mugs at BSC and Lilongwe Golf Club that is open to both men and ladies. The Monthly Mugs started at BSC last year and after they created intense excitement, tnm extended the sponsorship for Lilongwe. tnm is also sponsoring the country's elite football Super League at K50 million a year.
tnm new boss spells out plan
By Henry Mchazime, The Daily Times
tnm Limited new management says it has devised a growth strategy to increase fee company's capacity to handle more calls and penetrate rural areas.
The new boss Werner Schrijver said this at a welcome function in Blantyre on Wednesday.
Schrijver was introduced along side David Chetty who has taken up the position of Chief Technical Officer and Macleod Matandika who has been appointed Chief Finance Officer.
In his speech the new CEO said tnm would focus on introducing reduced rates for sim cards to increase the company's subscriber base.
"As tnm, we are making major improvements on our infrastructure and services in the country and this plan is fully supported by our shareholders because in the long term it would increase our capacity and offer our customer the best services," said Schrijver.
He added that tnm would also introduce several internet sites across the country and offer low denomination recharge vouchers to cater for more customers.
In his remarks Chetty said tnm would roll out 100 coverage sites this year backed up by latest technology.
"We are working with a technical team from Alcatel which is already in the country and our aim is to achieve double capacity in handling calls to give us a competitive edge against other players in the industry," said Chetty.
Chairman for tnm Mathews Chikaonda said the company has acquired two satellites to improve delivery of international calls and roaming services.
Schrijver replaces Pius Mulipa who has held the position for nine months until January this year.
tnm Limited is the first mobile phone company in the country which started in 1995 as TelekomNetwoiks Malawi before Malawi Telecommunications Limited took over.
BNL shines in tnm Super League media awards
The Daily Times, Monday, January 14 2008
BLANTYRE Newspapers Limited (BNL) Sports Desk continued to shine when on Friday it monopolised the tnm Super League print media awards. Out of the 10 media awards, six of them went to BNL sports reporters, columnists and photojournalist.
Former BNL employee Peter Kanjere, who left after the league was concluded, won the Best Print Media reporter while Joy Ndovi was the runner-up.
Patrick Lunda got the third place while photojournalist Lazarus Nedi scooped the Best Photojournalist award
The Daily Times Sports Editor Duncan Mlanjira, who authors Sports Trends and Sporting Aloud, and Malawi News Sports Editor Pilirani Kachinziri, who writes Sports Perspective shared the Best Columnist award.
The Daily Times Editor James Mphande commended the Sports Desk for the record achievement.
"That just shows that people out there are appreciating the work that we are doing here," Mphande said.
Interestingly, the media categories were all shared: Kanjere shared with new workmate Leonard Sharra, Ndovi with The Nation's Garry Chirwa, The Guardian's Lucy Kadzongwe with Lunda and Nedi with The Nation's James Chimpweya.
In the electronic media, MBC's Frank Kandu and MIJ FM's Gomezgani Zakazaka came first, MBC's Chisomo Mwamadi and Zodiak's Mike Bango second with MBC's Peter Fote and Capital FM's Madalitso Phiri sharing the third place.
Lekeni Kafwafwa and Saulos Thindwa shared the Best TV presenter with Shingirayi Mpesi as runner-up.
During the awards ceremony, champions Escom walked away with a glittering trophy and K6 million, runners-up MTL Wanderers received a K3 million, third placed Silver Strikers got K1.5 million as well as K150,000 for leading the first round while Big Bullets came fourth to cart home Kl million.
Escom United also dominated other awards with Chiukepo Msowoya pocketing K100,000 for winning the Golden Boot, Maupo Msowoya was Best Defender, Charles Swaini was the Best Goalkeeper, Silvers striker Atusaye Nyondo was voted Player of the Year, Nomads exciting midfielder Lawrence Majawa was Best Midfielder while Bullets Douglas Chirambo was the Most Improved Player.
Fair Play team went to Apollo United, Most Improved, Eagle Strikers, Best Team Management, Tigers FC, Best Coaching Panel, Moyale Barracks and the Most Disciplined Supporters, were from Civo United.'
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