Epic Communications Limited (from 1989 to 1997 Telecell Limited, and then from 1997 to 2020 Vodafone Limited) is a

Maltese Maltese may refer to: * Someone or something of, from, or related to Malta * Maltese alphabet * Maltese cuisine * Maltese culture * Maltese language, the Semitic language spoken by Maltese people * Maltese people, people from Malta or of Maltese ...

mobile network operator A mobile network operator (MNO), also known as a mobile network provider, mobile network carrier, mobile , wireless service provider, wireless carrier, wireless operator, wireless telco, or cellular company, is a telecommunications provider of se ...

, and the largest mobile network in Malta by number of customers. The company offers a full range of Voice, SMS and mobile Data services over 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G+ and 5G networks.

History

Telecell (1989-1997)

''Telecell'' was established in 1989 as the first mobile network provider in Malta. The first call was made on the Telecell network in 1990 whilst the first GSM call was made in 1997.

Vodafone (1997-2020)

In 1997 Telecell was rebranded as ''Vodafone''. Vodafone Malta's international gateway was launched in 2004 making it the first company in Malta to offer resilience and backup on international connectivity to the local business community. The international gateway spans approximately 250 km between Malta and Catania carrying three main types of traffic:

Internet The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...

Voice The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal tract, including talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, shouting, humming or yelling. The human voice frequency is specifically a part of human sound produ ...

and

Data Data ( , ) are a collection of discrete or continuous values that convey information, describing the quantity, quality, fact, statistics, other basic units of meaning, or simply sequences of symbols that may be further interpreted for ...

. During August 2006, Vodafone was the first mobile network operator to deploy 3G followed by the launch of HSDPA for high speed data transmission in December 2006. In June 2007, Vodafone Malta launched fixed broadband based on WiMax technologies. In 2008, Vodafone opened its Mobile Network to Virtual Network Operators. This was made possible through an agreement with ASPIDER Solutions. One of the virtual operators using the Vodafone network is Redtouch Fone. In 2010, Vodafone added another first when it announced the launch of an even faster mobile data service with nationwide download speeds of 14.4 Mbit/s. In 2012, another first for Malta was launched by Vodafone. The new 21.6 Mbit/s HSPA capability was launched live across all of Vodafone's coverage area. Vodafone started also rolling out the very latest 42 Mbit/s capability across key areas and high traffic sites on its network. Vodafone Malta announced its roll out of a 4G network in October 2013. It is the first mobile operator in Malta with an operating 4G network and in June 2017 Vodafone Malta has announced 4G+. In 2017, Vodafone became the first network to introduce superfast 4.5G to the Maltese islands, making it the country's fastest network. The new technology allows for the downloading of data at unprecedented speeds – 33 per cent faster than any other network available in Malta and Gozo – at 300 Mbit/s. In October 2018, Vodafone Malta introduced NB-IoT (narrow band IoT) to Malta bringing the next generation IoT technology to the local market. On 19 December 2019,

Vodafone Group Vodafone Group Public Limited Company () is a British multinational telecommunications company. Its registered office and global headquarters are in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It predominantly operates services in Asia, Africa, Europe, and ...

announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell 100% of Vodafone Malta to

Monaco Telecom Monaco Telecom is the primary telecommunications provider in the Principality of Monaco. Established in 1997, the company was formed following the government of Monaco's decision to privatize the previously state-owned Office Monégasque des T ...

for a cash consideration equivalent to an Enterprise Value of €250 million; the sale was accomplished on 31 March 2020.

Epic (since 2020)

On November 17, 2020, the company changed its name into ''Epic'', and announced that it would be the first company in Malta that would not rely on lock-in contracts.

Head Office

Epic Communications Limited's head office is located in SkyParks Business Centre, at the

Malta International Airport Malta International Airport is the only airport in Malta, and it serves the whole of the Maltese Islands. It is located on the island of Malta, southwest of the Maltese capital, Valletta, in the town of Luqa, and occupies the location of the f ...

. The company also operates a number of retail outlets across the Maltese Islands offering a range of customer services. On 11 November 2014, the company opened its first destination store in Malta. The store occupies 417 sq metres and is situated on the Birkirkara Bypass.

Foundation

The ''Foundation'' was set up in 2003 and is a separate entity from epic's commercial organisation. The Foundation focuses on supporting projects that make a difference to the Maltese community. Its prime objective is to partner up with NGOs and co-create, support and fund projects that fall under the Connecting for Good Programme. The aim of this programme is to harness the power of innovative mobile technology to bring about social change. Gemma Mifsud Bonnici was chairperson of the foundation until 2015. Michel Macelli replaced Bonnici as chairperson.

References

External links

* {{Maltese mobile phone companies Mobile phone companies of Malta Telecommunications companies established in 1989 Luqa 1989 establishments in Malta

Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...