Melita invites 77 subscribers to choose their phone number

Melita Mobile said it will be taking bookings from subscribers who wish to choose their phone number for its telephony service being launched in February.

The company said Melita Mobile will be offering cheaper call rates in a simple and transparent price structure. It said it will eliminate expensive monthly bills and complicated tariffs, making it simple for customers to understand what they were paying for and how to make use of the service.

The company has taken on 100 new employees in preparation for mobile services. Melita Mobile numbers will start with the 77 prefix.

Melita's chief operations officer Stephen Wright said the mobile network will harness the latest 3G technology and provide full nation-wide coverage from the first day of operations.

"We have invested €40 million to build a fully-fledged 3G mobile network using the latest technology... our promise to be cheaper is a long-term commitment, not just a limited-time offer. We are here to stay," he said.

The company has embarked on a programme to open new outlets in several towns and villages. The first new outlet opened at GS Supermarket, Naxxar and another is scheduled to open in Msida, next to the University roundabout. The outlets at The Embassy, Valletta, and Arkadia, in Gozo, will continue to offer all Melita services and products, including mobile-related services.