Melita announced on September 16 an agreement to acquire 100% of Epic Communications from Monaco Telecom. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The proposed acquisition remains subject to merger-control and other regulatory approvals. Until these approvals are obtained, Melita and Epic Communications will continue to operate independently.
Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has raised concerns regarding the proposed deal, stating that reducing Malta's three main mobile network operators to two could negatively affect competition, consumer choice, and available deals for customers. Agius Saliba intends to write to the Malta Communications Authority and the Office for Competition within the MCCAA, urging regulators to protect competition and consumer rights. He argued that consolidation could lead to less competition, reduced infrastructure investment, and worse conditions for consumers.
Melita and Epic Communications have stated that combining their operations would create the necessary scale for greater long-term investments in Malta's digital infrastructure. They argue the proposed deal could improve network quality, coverage, and connectivity, particularly as operators face increasing investment requirements for fibre, 5G, and cybersecurity.
The MCCAA has indicated that a reduction from three to two operators would not automatically block the deal. The Office for Competition will assess whether the transaction would substantially lessen competition in the relevant market, with potential remedies or commitments possible if concerns are identified.
In 2017, Melita sought to merge with Vodafone Malta, which was later acquired by Monaco Telecom and rebranded as Epic. The MCCAA opened an in-depth investigation into that proposed transaction due to competition concerns, and the companies subsequently abandoned the deal.