It seems the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) needs a few lessons in parenting, as one the body's wards just won't listen and doesn't seem to be fooled by threats that they seem to regard as idle. Kids have a sixth sense in knowing when parents are bluffing, and they will call you out on it. It's important to follow through with threats or they'll walk all over you - which is what Global Advanced Integrated Networks' G-Mobile appears to be doing to MACRA.

G-Mobile was awarded an operations licence last year to become the third mobile operator in Malawi. MACRA gave the company 10 months to roll out its services or the licence would be revoked. G-Mobile's initial deadline was 31 December 2009 which it failed to meet. A second deadline was set for 20 January 2010 - which again it failed to meet. It was then given 12 April 2010 as the third deadline, and it didn't meet that one either. The licence was not revoked.

MACRA then had the High Court of Malawi impose a penalty in which G-Mobile had 30 days to pay a hefty fee or...have its licence revoked. G-Mobile is the kid that has been walking all over MACRA because MACRA, the parent, keeps dishing out idle threats. It's quite ridiculous, actually. The two are now set to meet in court next month when it should have been settled earlier this year with MACRA revoking the licence and awarding it to another provider.

It seems life's lessons can be applied around business tables worldwide. It will be interesting to see how the saga will eventually be played out. Stay tuned!


Cheers, Sindy Peters, Africa editor
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