Maltese telcos Melita and Vodafone Malta have called off their proposed EUR506 million (USD595 million) merger which was first announced in May this year. In a statement, Vodafone said: ‘The parties have cooperated extensively with the Maltese Competition Authority (MCCAA) in order to obtain approval for the transaction. However, it has now become clear that the parties are unable to satisfy the MCCAA’s requirements and consequently they have decided to terminate the transaction and withdraw the notification.’
Last month the CEO of rival telco GO warned that the proposed merger could hamper future investment in the country’s telecoms infrastructure and create a player with too much market influence. Vodafone is the largest player in Malta’s mobile sector, ahead of GO and Melita, while Melita and GO are the main fixed broadband, pay-TV and telephony providers.