The Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has revised the cost of voice calls and short messages services (SMS) effective January 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2025.

According to the regulator, the proposed operation follows the revision of the Cost Models and Pricing Frameworks for Wholesale and Retail Telecommunication Services.

Currently, Malawians are using K5.80 per minute and about K20.72 per SMS.

The rates will be reduced in a staggered approach to round up to $0.15 cents (K1.55) per minute and $0.03 (K0.31) per SMS by 2025.

For instance, from January 1 2023 to December 31 2023, the maximum wholesale ending rate for voice and SMS services shall be $0.24 (K2.49) per minute and $0.1 cents (K1.04) per SMS.