The CEO of the Maltese telco GO has warned that the proposed merger between rivals Vodafone Malta and Melita could hamper future investment in the country’s telecoms infrastructure and create a player with too much market influence.
The Times of Malta quotes Attila Keszeq as saying: ‘Achieving a fair and open market post-acquisition will be a challenge in a scenario where the combination of Vodafone and Melita’s mobile businesses will give the new entity a very dominant position in that segment.’ He adds that Melita’s nationwide fixed broadband infrastructure would mean the combined entity would have a strong position in both fixed and wireless markets.
Mr Keszeq also warns that the financial impact on Melita to carry out the purchase of Vodafone could limit the firm’s capacity to invest in new networks. He said: ‘The implications on future investment in infrastructure by operators, for consumers’ pockets and Malta’s general economic competitiveness, are all too clear.’ Malta’s Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) is due to make a decision on the proposed tie-up in the next few weeks.