Melita Limited has entered a new phase in its growth story following its recent acquisition by Infrastructure at Goldman Sachs Alternatives. The deal marks the first time the second-largest bank in the world has invested in Malta, a move that Melita CEO Harald Roesch describes as “an important step not just for Melita, but for the country as a whole.” He believes the acquisition enhances Malta’s profile among global investors of a similar calibre.
For Roesch, the partnership is a perfect match. He explains, “Goldman Sachs had been interested in Melita for some time. The timing aligned, and now the deal has been completed, Goldman Sachs bring the scale, experience and network to help us accelerate our ambitions both in Malta and internationally.”
Following Melita’s acquisition, customers in Malta can expect to benefit from sustained investment. “From a global perspective, very few countries can boast nationwide gigabit broadband and nationwide 5G coverage. Malta was, in fact, the first in Europe,” Roesch notes. “Goldman Sachs will help us push even further.” We plan significant investments in the fixed network to deliver the highest reliability of services. We will further densify our mobile network to be able to guarantee our customers full indoor coverage.
Continuing Investment
Continuing investment in the network in Malta will be matched by an ongoing focus on innovation. One key area of success has been the integration of artificial intelligence into its customer care operations. “AI has transformed the way we handle customer enquiries, speeding up resolution times and improving quality,” says Roesch. The result is a 93 per cent customer satisfaction score. Calls to Customer Care have been answered on average in 30 seconds in the last 1.5 years. Encouraged by these results, Melita now plans to commercialise its AI driven customer care solutions, offering them to businesses both locally and abroad. This commitment to innovation is demonstrated by a global first for Malta: Melita is building a nationwide quantum network, enabling quantum-encrypted communication, un-hackable now and in the future.
Goldman Sachs’ commitment
Goldman Sachs’ commitment to supporting the evolution of Melita’s existing strategy is reflected in the fact that Melita’s governance structure will remain largely unchanged, ensuring operational stability. Roesch emphasises there will be no impact on employees, though the acquisition will open new avenues for professional growth. Staff will gain access to the Goldman Sachs Value Accelerator, a programme connecting them with Goldman Sachs specialists in areas such as data science, cloud computing and AI. “There will also be opportunities to take part in conferences with other Goldman Sachs portfolio companies which will provide a chance to share knowledge and learn from some of the best minds in the industry,” he adds.
Such international perspectives are likely to be particularly beneficial when applied to the further expansion of Melita.io, the company’s IoT and M2M connectivity business, which already provides services to companies and cities across Europe. “This is a growing and increasingly important part of Melita’s business”, states Roesch, who goes on to explain that through a single multi-network SIM, the company already provides secure coverage in more than 185 countries.
Melita.io
Melita.io also runs its own LoRaWAN® networks in Malta and Germany, enabling long-range, low-power connections ideal for smart cities, agriculture, logistics and utilities. Through a strong partner ecosystem, Melita.io delivers end-to-end IoT solutions, backed by ISO certifications in security, environmental management and safety. “Melita.io has the potential to be a significant success story for Malta as an exporter of connectivity services in a world where devices increasingly need to communicate with each other,” says Roesch.
With Goldman Sachs now on board, Roesch is confident the company is better positioned than ever to meet the rising demand for data and emerging technologies such as AI and virtual reality. “This partnership gives us the strength and resources to ensure our networks are ready for the next wave of innovation, both in Malta and beyond,” he says.
For Roesch, the message is clear. The acquisition is a vote of confidence not only in Melita’s capabilities but in Malta’s potential as a hub for technological investment. “Goldman Sachs is investing to grow our business here and internationally. That’s good for Melita, good for our customers and good for the country.”
