Vodafone Malta will make substantial investments in various projects next year, particularly its 3G network, chief executive officer Hatem Dowidar (right) said yesterday.
He said an entirely new 3G network will be created to support its current 3G services.
The company was looking forward to a very active and positive 2006 following a year in which it launched a number of new and unique services for the mobile telecommunications industry in Malta, Mr Dowidar said.
The CEO was speaking during Vodafone's traditional Christmas lunch for the media, which has been organised every year since the company was founded in 1990. He highlighted Vodafone's achievements during this year and set out the projects for the year ahead.
This year, Vodafone launched a number of products and services which are unique to Malta. These include Vodafone Simply, an easy-to-use mobile service designed for customers who only want a mobile phone with voice and SMS.
Other unique services are Real Tunes on Vodafone live! and the Lm2 booster top-up card. Vodafone is also the only company to offer free cinema tickets to its customers.
"Once again, 2005 has seen Vodafone lead the way in launching new products and services, many of which are still unique in Malta. In 2006 we are committed to further enhancing our position as Malta's leading mobile network by continuing to be the first to introduce new technologies which benefit our customers and enhance their quality of life," said Mr Dowidar.
During this year, Vodafone was the first mobile operator in Malta to launch a range of new services such as the Travel Promise, through which customers can call home while travelling at local rates with only a connection fee of 50 cents added per call.
Vodafone was also the first in Malta to give its customers the opportunity of talking for an hour while just paying for a minute, the first to offer weekend calls at the rate of five cents per minute and the first to offer customers the opportunity to call its Customer Care service for free. This Christmas, Vodafone is also offering Lm5 free credit to those who purchase a new mobile phone.
"As we approach the end of a successful 2005, Vodafone will continue its efforts to offer the best deal possible to its customers. For example, we have launched a Lm10 free credit offer for all those who join Vodafone and top up their account by December 28.
"Vodafone, however, does not simply aim at competitive pricing. We have always focused on the quality of the service which we offer to our customers. This requires continuous investment and in 2006, this will mean the creation of an entirely new network to support our state-of-the-art 3G services," Mr Dowidar said.