Vodafone Malta merger talks end at behest of regulator

Vodafone Group confirmed the end of its merger talks with Melita on Friday, putting the blame on regulators in Malta.

The FTSE 100 communications giant, along with Melita’s owners Apax Partners Midmarket and Fortino Capital, had announced their intention to combine Vodafone Malta with Melita to create a fully integrated communications company in Malta, back in May.

“Since then, the parties have cooperated extensively with the Maltese Competition Authority in order to obtain approval for the transaction,” Vodafone’s board said in its statement.

“However, it has now become clear that the parties are unable to satisfy the MCCAA's requirements and consequently they have decided to terminate the transaction and withdraw the notification.”