The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has received three expressions of interest in 800MHz spectrum which can be used for 4G LTE mobile services. Established cellular operators Vodafone Malta, GO and Melita have all come forward to request frequencies, and the regulator says that since there is sufficient spectrum to serve all three firms then it can proceed directly to the assignment phase. It will now ask the applicants to participate in a qualification procedure to check they meet the criteria to be awarded licences. The MCA has not disclosed when it expects the 800MHz licensing process to be completed.
As reported by CommsUpdate last month, the MCA is looking to award 60MHz of spectrum in the 800MHz ‘digital dividend’ band (791MHz-821MHz paired with 832MHz-862MHz). TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database notes that Vodafone and GO have already introduced LTE technology using 1800MHz and 2600MHz frequencies, while Melita has still to announce plans for a commercial 4G launch.