Melita deploys Ericsson gear to prepare for 5G

Malta

Maltese operator Melita has signed up Ericsson to prepare its network for 5G and boost customer experience.

The operator will deploy the Ericsson Radio System, which is designed to support current cellular standards as well as 5G NR.

The agreement also includes modernising and expanding Melita’s virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC), which is deployed on the vendor’s BSP 8100 server and Cloud Execution Environment.

Melita’s CTO Simon Montanaro said the deal was aimed at placing the operator “at the forefront of customer experience.”

“We are committed to providing the residents and businesses of Malta with the best possible mobile connectivity,” he added.

Arun Bansal, Head of Market Area Europe and Latin America at Ericsson, said: “Staying at the forefront of customer experience is of the utmost importance for our customers.

“By deploying 5G-ready, radio access network infrastructure we embark on a new chapter in our long-term partnership with Melita.”

Melita had planned to merge with Vodafone’s local opco before the deal was blocked by local regulators in December. The merger would have created a quad-play provider to rival market leader GO that would operate under the Vodafone brand.

Read more: Operators could face 5G threats from fresh fronts, EU regulators warn