The CEO of Vodafone Malta says its new owners plan to invest EUR40 million (USD47 million) on infrastructure expansion and upgrades over the next two to three years. Recently installed chief executive Tamas Banyai told the Times of Malta that new shareholder Monaco Telecom sees network transformation as a ‘critical priority’ for Vodafone. This includes not only its current wireless services but also a potential move into the fixed broadband and pay-TV markets, which would allow it to compete on a more even footing with multi-play rivals GO and Melita, both of which already offer a full range of fixed, mobile and TV services.
‘On the mobile side, we are talking about continued investment in the network, but also digitising services and facilitating customers’ interaction with us,’ said Banyai. He added, however, that 5G remains ‘on the backburner,’ with Vodafone’s LTE-A network still offering ‘huge potential to customers’.
Monaco Telecom bought Vodafone Malta in April this year for EUR250 million from UK-based Vodafone Group. Vodafone Malta is the country’s largest cellco by subscribers, according to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, with more than 38% of the overall market at the end of March 2020.