(Ecofin Agency) - Mobile operator Alpha Telecom, which holds the third license of Mali, has finally launched its activities on October 16, 2017. Initial test calls were made successfully and commercial operations are to begin next December.

According to the firm’s managing director, Dimitri Ouedraogo cited by studiotamani, the network can receive up to five million users. Its installation required close to CFA100 billion. The firm promised to introduce innovating products and services into the local market.

Present at launching ceremony, Arouna Modibo Touré, the minister of digital economy and communication, said he has great hopes for the third operator. He explained that “in terms to telephony, Mali has for a long period remained in a duopoly situation”.

According to him, the government wishes, through the launch of Atel-SA (Alpha Telecom’s commercial name), to foster competition in the national telecom market, thus improving the quality of services and reducing costs, but also creating direct and indirect jobs, and new sources of revenues for the public treasury.

Alpha Telecom was awarded its operating license in 2012, for CFA55 billion. Related agreement was signed on February 12, 2013.