Melita Mobile announces network upgrades

Melita Mobile has announced completion of network upgrades aimed at improving indoor mobile coverage in 10 sites spread over four key localities. The localities are Valletta, Birkirkara, Mosta and Fgura.

Earlier this year, Melita announced that it has contracted mobile networking giant Ericsson to perform a series of upgrades on the existing mobile network. This forms part of a multi-million project following the assignment of lower-band frequencies by the Malta Communications Authority to Melita in 2011. These frequencies are the same utilised by other local operators and offer better indoor mobile coverage.

The selection of the localities was based on customer feedback, number of users in these areas as well as mobile traffic in these localities.

"Before and following each site upgrade, our technical team performed several network tests and optimisation routines to minimise inconvenience," Melita's chief technology officer Simon Montanaro said.

"Customers living in these areas will notice significant improvements in indoor coverage. Final network optimisation is underway and shortly we will be assessing the next phase of network enhancements required based on customer feedback."

Melita Mobile offers prepaid rates for as low as 10c per minute to any local network and in various reports, both the European Commission and the Malta Communications Authority indicated Melita Mobile as the main driver for reduction in mobile telephony rates.