Mali

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Operators
Two mobile providers are currently operating in Mali: In 2012 a 3rd license was issued to Altel/Planor (Alpha Telecom Mali), but commercial operations have not been started since and the local counterpart has defaulted in the meantime. The Mali government presented a ‘note conceptuelle’ (concept note) regarding the issuance of the country’s 4th mobile license in 2017 setting out an operational timetable and a projected budget for a new concession. Plans for this new operator emerged, spurred by the slow progress of the 3rd licensee to break the duopoly of Orange and Malitel.
 * Orange (owned by French Orange Mali SA)
 * Malitel (owned by SOTELMA which is mostly owned by Maroc Telecom)

Frequencies and coverage
2G is on 900 MHz and 3G in the cities on 2100 MHz up to HSPA+ and HSDPA. There is no 4G/LTE yet, but planned by Orange for 2018.

You can expect mobile coverage only in inhabited areas and 3G connections for data only in the capital and regional centers so far.

Penetration and prices
Mobile penetration peaked at 143% in 2014. Most locals have two SIM cards, also due to the lack of an efficient landline system. More than 99% of the SIM cards are prepaid. In 2016 penetration has fallen to 105%. This results from the implementation of new identification rules for subscribers, which came into force at the end of 2015.

Mali’s landlocked location makes it dependent on neighbouring countries for international fibre bandwidth, which has kept prices high. Improvements in this sector can be expected from the recent arrival of several new competitive international submarine fibre optic cables in the region and the construction of a terrestrial Trans-Saharan backbone network.

Registration
Since 2015 all SIM card subscribers in the country have to be identified by their ID documents at the point of purchase. So better buy your SIM card showing your passport in an official store or outlet of the operator than on the streets, where you can still buy recharges at every corner.

Orange Mali
Orange Mali owned by French Telecom is market leader in 2017 with 59% mobile customers in the country. The company was extremely successful when it entered the market as the 2nd mobile and fixed-line operator in 2003. They quickly amassed more than 80% market share, offering converged fixed, mobile and broadband internet services.

At the end of 2016, Orange Mali’s network covered about 95% of the population and 46% of the country and had a base of 11 million active mobile subscribers, of which more than 99% were prepaid customers. Their uses mainly cover voice, mobile internet and mobile payment services. Only around 20% of the population have 3G coverage with speeds up to 42 Mbps like in Bamako and other regional capitals: coverage map.

In 2017 Orange Mali renewed its license and received permission to launch 4G/LTE services. It already announces 4G/LTE to be expected to launch in 2018.

Like in most parts of Africa mobile networks double as a payment system. Launched in 2010, Orange Money service had 3.5 million customers at the end of 2016.

Availability
The prepaid SIM card is available in stores called Agences (list of stores) for 1000 CFA. Be prepared to show your passport because of ID requirements. To get their new 4G/LTE you need to buy a new 4G-enabled SIM or swap an old Orange 3G SIM card for it. Their SIM card has 1000 CFA credit pre-loaded valid for 5 days only.

Recharges
Rechages are sold everywhere on the streets in these denominations: If you do several recharges, validity of your credit will be according to the last top-up value. To check credit type #123#, to top-up by voucher enter *123*#.

Data feature packages
Their data packages are called Forfaits Internet and are valid for 2G, 3G and upcoming 4G/LTE for one month: To activate a package type #101#21#, to check data balance or expiry #101#22#. Packages are cummulative.

Intenet Everywhere and modem offer

Promotions with double data on certain days -> see Twitter or Facebook account:

More info
APN, Username and Password: internet /or/ iew

Website in French: http://www.orangemali.com

Facebook http://fr-fr.facebook.com/orange.mali/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Orange_Mali

Malitel (by SOTELMA)
Malitel owned by SOTELMA, old state telecom provider, privatised in 2009 and now owned 50% Maroc Telecom, 20% local investors, 20% govenment, 10% staff.