Vodafone Malta Ltd will end the year with a customer base of 200,000 following another successful year, Inaki Berroeta, chief executive officer, said yesterday.

Addressing media representatives at the traditional Vodafone Christmas lunch, Mr Berroeta said the company wanted to celebrate together with its customers by launching a series of campaigns giving added value to existing subscribers as well as rewarding new customers who join its network.

He said various offers include free credit, reduced call rates, a range of mobile phones starting from as little as Lm16/€37.27, as well as offers including free phones.

In line with its corporate responsibility commitment, Vodafone is also promoting handset recycling this Christmas, giving customers Lm1/€2.33 off the Vodafone 225 handset when they hand in their old mobile phone.

This Christmas Vodafone is also supporting the Association for Abandoned Animals.

Calendars featuring dogs at the AAA sanctuary together with some of Malta's most popular and most loved personalities will be available for sale from Vodafone retail outlets at Lm2/€4.66. All proceeds from the calendars will be donated to the AAA.

Mr Berroeta said 2007 was also a big year for its Music Jam Club. Through its associations with Malta's leading artists, as well as its involvement in major concerts which took place in Malta this year, Vodafone offered customers exclusive access to top musical events.

Mr Berroeta also highlighted Vodafone's achievements for 2007 including the launch of WiMAX and the 3G and HSDPA coverage, providing both indoor and outdoor coverage. He said Vodafone expected to have full coverage by the second quarter of 2008.