Alpha Telecom Mali (Atel-SA) intends to raise and invest over US$200m to service the market, according to CEO Dimitri Ouedraogo who added that the company's network can accommodate 5 million subscribers.

Alpha Telecom Mali is a joint venture established by Monaco Telecom and local holding company Planor Afrique.

The venture outbid Bharti Airtel and Viettel Corporation to secure the country's third telecom's license in 2012 for an amount of XOF55 billion.

It signed the concession for the acquisition of the operating license on 12 February 2013 and in November 2013, it announced it had paid the final balance of XOF7.6 billion (US$15.6 million) for the mobile telephony license.

It initially planned to begin commercial services in 2014, but was delayed till this year.

Arouna Modibo Touré, Minister of the Digital Economy and Communication, said the government has high hopes for the new operator.

"In terms of telephony, Mali has long remained (a) duopoly but with Atel-SA, the desire of the government to have more competition in the national telecoms sector will be realised," he said.

Touré added that the latest entrant should compel operators to offer improved services and reduce costs, as well as help create new jobs and increase revenue for Mali's public treasury.

Having successfully completed testing on calls, the company said it looks forward to a full commercial launch later in December.