Vodafone demands approval of lower mobile phone tariffs

by Franco Aloisio

Vodafone managing director Joseph Grioli yesterday said the Telecommunications Regulator should take responsibility and authorise the lowering of the company’s tariffs. Mr Grioli was speaking a day after Go Mobile, Vodafone’s competitor, published its tariffs which were approved by the regulator. Go Mobile claimed its prices are 30 per cent cheaper than Vodafone’s.
Mr Grioli accused the regulator of dragging his feet and failing to approve Vodafone’s new tariffs. Mr Grioli said the regulator was adopting a “two weights, two measures” approach by approving Go Mobile’s tariffs in record time.
Industry sources told The Malta Business Weekly that with two companies vying for subscribers, it was not wise for the regulator to interfere or approve changes in the company’s tariffs.
“There are two ways of looking at the situation. The regulator can either let both mobile telephony companies establish prices that are competitive with each other or else set down the parameters for future changes in the tariffs. At present, the regulator is forced to consider one company’s request and then the other’s, the sources said.
“Thus at any point, one company is going to be at an advantage over the other. GoMobile have issued new tariffs that are extremely competitive. Now Vodafone have to wait for the regulator to approve their request. In the meantime, Go Mobile have an advantage in the market,” the sources added.
Vodafone’s managing director yesterday launched SMS Flash, a new service whereby subscribers can access desired information via SMS. Among the services offered are news, sports results, lotto and Super 5 results, jokes, trivia and entertainment material.
Vodafone said it will soon announce a range of advantageous Christmas offers which will be enjoyed by its existing and new customers. Moreover, Vodafone will be announcing its reduced tariffs which will come into effect in 2001, pending the approval of the regulator.
The launch of Vodafone’s SMS Flash comes a day after Go Mobile announced its tariffs. Yesterday, Go Mobile’s retail outlets in Marsa, Msida, Valletta and Victoria were open for enquiries and bookings. Go Mobile will start offering its service as from 1 December,
Five different Go Mobile packages are being offered to customers, each one tailor made to the needs of the user. These include a pre-paid and various contract-based packages.
Go Mobile’s chief executive officer Juanito Camilleri said the rates brings Malta’s mobile phone tariffs closer to European norms, allowing customers better value for money regardless of the package they chose.
“Our tariff plans are based on market research studies and reflect what Maltese people have been asking for,” he said.