MCA keeps watch over bundling

Matthew Vella

As giants Maltacom and Melita Cable take the stage with the bundling of internet, TV and mobile phone services, the Malta Communications Authority has told Business Today it has been looking into bundling very closely for the past months now.
Go Mobile has already launched its Talk and Surf service which includes Go Mobile’s and Maltanet’s services. Last Sunday, Melita CEO Philip Micallef said the company had also applied for the bundling of its services and currently was waiting for the approval of this service.
By bundling together mobile telephony with internet, or television, the main telcos have gone for an aggressive bid to clinch the competitive edge.
Asked whether bundling was considered detrimental to smaller single-licence operators such as internet providers, the authority said its ultimate objective was to ensure that whatever bundling is allowed, “all players will be able to compete effectively, including small service providers.”
The MCA said no overseas telecom operator had as yet shown interest in being licensed in Malta.