Speaking at todays launch of Melita’s new mobile service, the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi said, “it is a privilege for me to launch Malta’s third full service mobile operator. The significance of today’s event extends well beyond the company’s achievement. In reality, the benefits of this milestone accrue to the consumers, the economy at large as well as to the country.

“This launch embodies our belief and success of the liberalisation process in the telecommunications sector. The competitive operators for fixed, mobile and broadband services demonstrate every day that competition is the key to investment, innovation and growth.”

“The telecommunications sector is dynamic with new entrants, new service offers as well as a continuing rush for market share. The sector is not only expanding in terms of penetration rates but also in its contribution to Malta’s economic activity. The penetration rate of mobile telephony has reached 93.2%, translating into an increase of over 20% in subscriptions over the past five years. Employment levels over the past year in the telecommunications sector have increased by 6%. The existence of alternative operators is a key enabler of this dynamism.”

“The Government is a strong believer that competition is the key driver of investment and innovation in an economy. Today’s event is a testimony to this. Melita invested €40 million to build a mobile network across Malta and Gozo. This investment also led to a recruitment drive with the creation of a 100 new opportunities as well as the opening of a number of commercial outlets. Given the exceptional uncertain international economic climate today’s ceremony is of even more significance. The inauguration of this investment is a beacon of hope in a world dominated by a global crisis and recessionary fears.”

“Competition also unlocks the potential of innovation in an economy. Today we are also celebrating a successful move up the ladder of investment and innovation from service-based competition to infrastructure-based competition. I would like to congratulate all those who were involved in integrating a mobile services network into an already established cable platform. This investment, with the help of the multinational company Ericsson has further enhanced Malta’s reputation on the international technology map. This achievement further confirms my Government’s belief that Malta has the potential of becoming a centre of excellence by 2015.”

“Today not only confirms the capacity of Malta to achieve our ambitious targets but this is an important step in this direction. The telecommunications sector underpins the success of the other sectors since it is a crucial enabler of the knowledge-based economy we aspire to become. Our investment in this sector will continue to enhance our success as a regional hub in both ICT and financial services.”

“In addition to the above mentioned benefits of competition it also brings with it lower prices, better quality services and more choice. This means that consumers are the real winners. However, for this to materialise the choice needs to be real and consumers have to be protected. Consumers need to be properly informed as well as empowered to make the most of competition. The effectiveness of the regulator is crucial to support competition and I believe that the Malta Communications Authority has been critical in setting the right conditions for competition.”

“The long-run dividends offered by competition-enhancing can never be overstated. Increasing competition and establishing efficient and well-functioning product and services markets have the potential of supporting further employment creation, boosting productivity trends and enhances the incentive to invest and innovate. It is with this sentiment that my Government is working on the liberalisation of public transport, privatisation of yacht marinas, the shipyards and similar exercises in other sectors. Enhancing competition not only benefits service providers but also consumers, thus contributing to the achievement of our long-term vision for Malta.”

“We are today not only celebrating the launch of a new investment but we are also making an important step to where Malta aims to arrive by 2015.”

“I would like to thank the directors of Melita for their continuous faith in Malta and its workforce and for sustaining their investment and presence here in Malta throughout the years thus contributing to our development and success.

“Whilst wishing Melita future successes in its operations, it is an honour for my Government to have it as a protagonist in achieving our vision.”

Full details of Melita’s new mobile services are available at http://www.melita.com/content.aspx?id=5017.