As the problem of interconnection by service providers becomes a hot button issue in Africa, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MCRA) has directed all telecom companies in the country to share their infrastructure.

Malawi is now the second country after Namibia to broker the interconnection and sharing of infrastructure by service providers in order to promote effective and cheaper telecommunication.

Access to information and knowledge is central to human development, enhancing the ability to make informed decisions in terms of government policy concerning administration, commerce, education and finance, Patricia Kaliati, minister of information and civic education, said Thursday at the 6th International Conference on Open Access.

"I strongly believe that our endeavor should be to make information through knowledge gateways available to all sectors of the economy and social life, as well as to all sections of society," she said.

According to Kaliati, the MCRA made the directive after realizing that Malawi is in the process of transforming into a knowledge society, which necessitates open communication.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.