Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1348867
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 10 MARCH 2021 NEWS Epic enters into a strategic partnership with Phoenix Tower International Six new urban community projects announced EPIC Communications Limited yesterday announced that it had entered into an agreement with Phoenix Tower International (PTI) for the sale of the entire share capital of M.T. Mediter- ranean Towers Limited, its fully owned mobile telecom infra- structure management company in Malta. This passive mobile infra- structure essentially encom- passes metallic and concrete elements such as towers and masts. Epic will retain full ownership and management of the Epic base stations, antenna and all telecom-related active equip- ment that is typically located on such infrastructure; which equipment is critical for the company to offer its core ser- vices to its end consumers. Epic and PTI will enter into a long-term service agreement for the provision of hosting services over the infrastruc- ture as well as the construction of new sites through a build- to-suit programme, securing long-term access by Epic to such infrastructure. "This transaction helps us continue to provide the best network together with great value in Malta, by accelerating our investment plans which target modernising our mobile network including the future rollout of 5G and expanding our service portfolio in fixed services, as well," Tamas Ban- yai, Chief Executive Officer of Epic Communications Limited, said. "As a leading internation- al company, PTI is the best possible partner to help us on this mission, with their ex- tensive experience in passive infrastructure management in North and South America, France, Italy and Ireland." Under the same transaction, Phoenix Tower Internation- al will also acquire the passive mobile telecom infrastructure of Epic Cyprus. The total sites portfolio of both Epic Cyprus and Malta will be 815 sites at closing. The transaction is subject to customary conditions prece- dent for this type of transac- tion and is expected to close by the end of 2021. • Sale of 100% of M.T. Mediterranean Towers Limited, Epic Malta fully-owned infrastructure management company • Partnership will lead to increased investment in mobile network modernisation, 5G and Fibre to the Home THE locality of Mosta will be benefiting from urban embel- lishment projects including the paving of roads and the creation of an outdoor gym financed by the Development Planning Fund (DPF). This was announced by Min- ister for the Environment, Cli- mate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia who explained that the Planning Authority has approved and financed 13 projects to the equivalent of just over €500,000. This includes the signing of the six projects – four of which cover the embellishment and paving of narrow roads in vari- ous areas of the locality, name- ly Triq Charles J Vassallo, Sqaq Xorxa, Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri, and Triq San Anton Abbati Sqaq Nru 3. The two other projects in- clude the creation of an out- door gym and the replacement of existing lamps with more energy-efficient ones. The minister explained that numerous investments have been made in improving Mal- ta's quality of life and envi- ronmental sustainability, also through its Planning Develop- ment Fund. He explained that the fund promotes projects which em- bellish urban areas for the benefit of the wider residen- tial community, with financing made available to local coun- cils, NGOs, and other entities. It is also Malta's most wides- cale injection of capital into projects that particularly pro- mote urban greening and sup- port vulnerable sectors of soci- ety. The submitted funds have primarily been used for locali- ties' community projects aimed at mitigating the negative ef- fects of urban development. The contribution, therefore, is kept within the locality to be used on projects that improve its community facilities and green areas. Since its inception in January 2017, the authority has signed 129 contracts with local coun- cils and NGOs which cover a total of more than €12.7 mil- lion. Following consultations, the minister announced a number of changes to the DPF, with an aim of encouraging greener and more socially conscious plan- ning projects by local councils, NGOs, and third parties. "These changes are part of a holistic overhaul of the concept of planning – shifting towards more intelligent planning and a greener vision for our local- ities", said the minister. Minister Aaron Farrugia with Mosta mayor Romilda Baldacchino Zarb