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Wireless Federation » archive for 'Malta'

Melita Mobile kicks off services in Feb, invests $51Mn (Malta)

  • December 3rd, 2008
  • 8:49 am

Melita Mobile will begin its mobile telephony service in February after a US $51million investment. “Melita Mobile is offering cheaper call rates in a simple and transparent price structure. Melita Mobile will eliminate expensive monthly mobile bills and complicated tariffs, making it simple for customers to understand what they are paying for and to make use of the service,” the company said.

Stephen Wright, Melita’s Chief Operations Officer, said, “Our mobile network employs the latest 3G technology and will provide full nationwide coverage from day one. We have invested €40 million to build a fully-fledged 3G mobile network using the latest technology. We are not an MVNO and our promise to be cheaper is a long-term commitment, not just a limited-time offer. We are here to stay.”

Melita mobile numbers will start with the 77 prefix.

Alvarion for mobile WiMAX network in Malta

  • July 22nd, 2008
  • 12:21 pm

Maltese mobile operator Go Mobile picks WiMAX equipment maker Alvarion for a nationwide mobile WiMAX network deployment.

Also,Go Mobile will use Alvarion’s 4Motion system with BreezeMax as its radio access network and plans to provide voice and data services at the 3.5 GHz frequency band to the residents of Malta. Roll-out of the commercial network is expected to begin shortly.

New network will offer an enhanced portfolio of high quality wireless broadband services over Alvarion’s mobile WiMAX system and open opportunities for high speed internet, video, TV and gaming. Italian based manufacturer SIAE Microlettronica is the  Alvarion’s partner for this deployment project . Go Mobile is required by the Malta Communication Authority to complete network roll-out and provide 99 percent nationwide coverage by October 2009.

Melita swaps minority stake for 3G licence (Malta)

  • September 12th, 2007
  • 3:30 pm

Malta-based Melita Cable has signed a letter of intent for a proposed transaction with 3G Telecommunications. 3G Telecommunications, a subsidiary of investment firm M/C Venture Partners, was recently awarded Malta’s third UMTS licence by the Malta Communications Authority. The transaction will enable Melita Cable to roll out Malta’s third mobile network and offer a full suite of voice and data communications services. As a part of the transaction, M/C Venture Partners will acquire a minority interest in Melita Cable and fund the company’s expansion alongside shareholders GMT Communications Partners and the Gasan Group. The Malta Communications Authority has issued its preliminary approval for the transaction; completion remains subject to final clearance by the MCA and the Office of Fair Competition.

   

3G Telecommunications wins 3G network rights in Malta (Malta)

  • August 17th, 2007
  • 2:58 pm

The MCA has awarded rights of use of radio frequencies to 3G Telecommunications for the establishment and operation of a 3G mobile communications network in Malta. Vodafone, Go Mobile and 3G Telecommunications had each submitted an application to obtain one of the three available bands. Demand for spectrum matched supply, so there was no need for a competitive process to be held. The process of due diligence with respect to 3G Telecommunications has now been satisfactorily concluded. 3G Telecommunications now has 60 months in which to complete its network rollout while achieving complete national coverage.

   

Vodafone deploys WiMax in Malta

  • July 7th, 2007
  • 10:50 am

Vodafone is deploying a WiMax-based network on the island of Malta, in what is seen as a testbed for wider deployment.

The company announced the Malta network — its first WiMax rollout — on Friday. Offering download speeds of up to 1Mbps, the service follows an “intensive trial period” of the long-range, high-bandwidth wireless technology.

The rollout, in the 3.5GHz frequency, is based on Airspan Networks’ HiperMax base stations, which are designed for high-density deployments. Although customers will only be able to access the service from a fixed location, Airspan’s equipment is software-upgradeable to the mobile variant of WiMax.

Paul Senior, Airspan’s chief technology officer, said the Malta deployment could have wider implications. “Malta is one of Vodafone’s classic test markets” . “We understand that there is significant interest in what’s being done by Vodafone HQ. Airspan is committed to making it a success and showing that WiMax can support a deployment model that provides a credible service bundle of broadband, fixed telephony and mobile.”

But Vodafone played down the significance of the rollout, suggesting that it only formed part of the operator’s strategy. “For Malta, they’ve decided it’s the most efficient route to give to their customers, based on a number of factors, such as geographic considerations and the [local] market,” a spokesperson for the mobile operator said.

In the UK, the radio spectrum for mobile WiMax could be made available next year when Ofcom auctions radio spectrum in the 2.6GHz range.

However, there is a long-running rivalry between service providers seeking to roll out mobile WiMax and those behind 3G technology, which is more established in western Europe.

 

   

 

WiMax’s unsteady progress

  • July 7th, 2007
  • 10:41 am

By now, WiMax was supposed to be big, going on huge. As it is, it remains effectively stuck in trial phase and very far from revenue rich; with around 270,000 subscribers worldwide last year, the main beneficiaries have probably been the vendors of WiMax market  at $3,000 (£1,502) a pop.

The trouble with WiMax is that, as far as consumers can tell, it has no unique selling point over 3G or DSL. Take the latest deployment — on the island republic of Malta, which is getting a fixed WiMax network. Malta has a poor 3G service and a monopoly DSL wholesaler; it’s also small and can be covered with a manageable investment in base stations. Under those conditions, and the strict deadlines the regulator imposed on broadband wireless operators for rollout, WiMax looks like a decent bet to the operators. To the consumers, it looks like a so-so 1Mbps service.

Beware of anyone trying to generalise from such examples. Each territory has its own complex equation to solve. Geographical, political, commercial and regulatory factors are all massively variable. 3G, although by no means immune to such considerations, has inherited GSM’s empire and has a massive territorial advantage.

If WiMax is to have a chance, it needs to create that unique selling point, and it needs to concentrate on places where 3G is weak. If territorial presence is 3G’s gift from its telco parents, then its curse is their antiquated way of thinking. Where they see threat or a chance to gouge the users, then WiMax should see advantage. Voice over IP, integrated messaging, unfettered internet access and no international roaming charges — if WiMax is, as claimed, so much more efficient than 3G, then these will be the best ways of showing it.

For that to work, the companies behind WiMax have to create a globally coherent brand with a globally coherent message — as well as the small matter of getting the mobile standard out there. Joining the WiMax club should be a passport to something special, something you can’t get any other way. As it is, the standard runs the risk of becoming what you get when nothing else is available.

As yet, there is no message beyond the “We’re going to be fabulous” boosterism coming from those already in the game. We’ll need more than that to be convinced.

 

   

 

Vodafone Malta launches WiMAX package

  • June 26th, 2007
  • 1:47 pm

Vodafone Malta will launch an inclusive package of fixed line voice telephony, high speed internet and wireless services over its WiMAX network. Vodafone@home will be available from tomorrow and comes in three packages: consumer, business and online prepaid. Customers subscribing to this service do not need to change their current fixed line number. Customers can also move their broadband connection to wherever they go. Coverage of this service will initially be available in Bugibba/Qawra, Naxxar, Mosta, Attard, Balzan, Iklin, Lija, B’Kara, Fleur-de-lys, Hamrun, Kappara, San Gwann, Qormi, St Venera, Zebbug, Rabat and Mtarfa. By March 2008 Vodafone says the @home service will have nationwide coverage.

   

 

Vodafone deploys Airspan’s WiMAX equipment in Malta

  • June 25th, 2007
  • 9:54 am

Vodafone has deployed Airspan Networks’ HiperMAX base station and customer premise equipment (CPE) to launch its WiMAX network in Malta. Vodafone will bundle its mobile and fixed offerings to provide broadband data and VoIP services to residential and business customers. Airspan’s HiperMAX is a WiMAX base station designed for high-density deployment situations. It is well suited for this kind of deployment in dense metropolitan areas with its capabilities for software upgrades from fixed to mobile WiMAX.

   

Go mobile launches specially priced 3G mobile phones

  • May 26th, 2007
  • 12:21 pm

Following the recent nationwide launch of 3.5G and 3G technology, go mobile is now offering a selection of 3G capable handsets at specially reduced prices.

“Go mobile was the first Maltese mobile operator to make 3.5G and 3G technologies available nationwide in Malta and Gozo. Since day one of the launch, our pledge has been to make 3G technology more financially accessible throughout the market. This is in keeping with go mobile’s promise of always offering better value – a promise that we fully intend to honour,” said Go mobile sales manager Sandro Gauci.

As part of this 3G strategy, the following handsets are being offered with a two-year warranty – Sagem my800X at Lm69 (EUR160.73), Samsung Z150 at Lm85 (EUR198), the Samsung Z230, that is available in silver and red at Lm99 (EUR230.61), the Nokia N70 at Lm139 (EUR323.78) and the Samsung Z370 at Lm149 (EUR347.08).

The last model is especially sought-after for being the slimmest 3G phone on the market as well as for its two Megapixel camera.