Speaking during the launch of the 3.75G network infrastructure in Blantyre, on Wednesday , the minister of Information and Civic Education, Moses Kunkuyu described the upgrade as a revolution to mobile internet users as they will now access information on their handsets and other mobile devices even faster than before. Kunkuyu noted that issues of internet are no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity.
"Internet is proving to be a focal point of any aspect of development in the world hence the need to make it easily accessible through such latest technologies which improve internet speeds even in Malawi" Kunkuyu observed.
The minister then commended Airtel for extending 3.75G services even to other districts in Malawi other than just concentrating in the main cities. Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Mangochi, Karonga, Kasungu, Salima, Zomba and Kasungu have 3.75G coverage.
In his remarks, Airtel Malawi's managing director, Saulos Chilima explained that the upgrade to 3.75G means Airtel will now provide the fastest data speeds in the country. Airtel will offer maximum internet speeds of up to 21Mbps (megabits per second) from the current maximum of 7.2Mbps, The improved technology will allow users to make video calls, fast download of movies and music, watch live streaming of events, fast uploads and downloads of information, fast access to social media pages and mails from their mobile devices.
Chilima said that this data service being offered from the 3.75G network infrastructure is not only the widest and largest in Malawi but is also the best and most affordable in the country. He urged Malawians to take advantage of the company's current data service . He also said that the relaunch and upgrade of its data service augurs well with Airtel's promise of giving its customers the best mobile telecommunication can offer.
Airtel has invested US$5.2m to upgrade its network infrastructure to 3.75G.The company's 3.75 G network upgrade comes just a few months after Airtel Malawi was awarded the Best Mobile Data Operator accolade in Southern and East Africa in December 2011 by the African Telecom People.
