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Vodafone Malta has launched its competitive all-inclusive packages for fixed line, internet and mobile services with its new broadband wireless access service. Vodafone @home is available to Vodafone customers in certain areas now and will be nationwide by March 2008.

Vodafone Malta is the first local mobile operator to offer broadband and Voice over IP services to residential and business customers through fixed WiMAX, on the 3.5 GHz spectrum. Vodafone Malta is also the first Vodafone operating company to commercially deploy fixed WiMAX to deliver broadband services to the home and business.

“This is another important milestone for Vodafone Malta. We are the first local mobile operator to launch fixed WiMAX Wireless Broadband Access hence confirming once again that we are consistently the innovators by deploying the latest technology. Vodafone @home meets the growing communication needs of customers by bundling mobile, broadband and Voice over IP services into one package. The package we are launching today has been designed to offer customers the combination of excellent service quality and great value,” said Hatem Dowidar, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Malta.

“I am delighted to join Vodafone Malta at such an exciting stage in the company’s outstanding history,” said Inaki Berroeta who will be appointed as CEO of Vodafone Malta on 1 July 2007. “The launch of Vodafone @home presents Vodafone Malta with an excellent opportunity to offer its customers, a value driven bundled offering comprising broadband, fixed telephony and mobile services. We are confident that these new packages will meet the communications needs of our clients. Vodafone Malta is once again demonstrating that it has been and will remain the innovator by launching the latest technology and products in Malta,” concluded Inaki Berroeta.

Starting from Lm15 a month, Vodafone @home offers customers with broadband, fixed telephony and mobile services all in one package. Customers also benefit from up to 1Mbit/sec download speeds and 10Gbytes of usage in a month, 200 free fixed line voice minutes, 50 free mobile minutes to all local numbers, international fixed rates starting from 1c5 / min and no line rental. Customers can conveniently pay online or choose to receive a monthly bill.

Vodafone @home offers three different packages: Consumer, Business and Online prepaid packages. 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 Malta will have nationwide coverage of its Vodafone @home service.

The launch of Vodafone @home is the result of an intensive trial period which Vodafone Malta implemented with approximately 200 users over the past couple of months. Fixed WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), also known as 802.16d, is a technology aimed at providing high-speed wireless broadband and VoIP telephony services to home and business consumers. Fixed WiMAX has in fact been designed for urban area networks.

Fixed WiMAX can be used for several applications including wireless broadband connections in the home, high speed connectivity for businesses and connecting multiple internet users. It provides the added benefit of providing nomadic connectivity which means that a customer can use the wireless broadband & fixed voip telephony connection in another location - for example a second home or a yacht - effortlessly and with no added expense.

Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Hon. Dr Austin Gatt, described the launch of this new service as an important development in the growth of our ICT infrastructure. There is no end to the project of improving our ICT infrastructure. While he referred to the importance of a constantly up-to-date internal communications infrastructure, we also need a reliable and large enough connection with the rest of the world. Reliability, continuity and affordability will be crucial for development.

Minister Gatt, said that the country needs to aspire to a connection with a high-bandwidth for the entire population. This is to have a population which is ready for the next generation applications on the net. A stronger, wider, faster connectivity infrastructure creates the space for locally developed, locally relevant enriching content.

For more information on Vodafone @home and Vodafone @office products, customers can visit their website on www.vodafone.com.mt or contact Customer Service on 247 from their Vodafone or on 9999 9247 from any other number.