Consultation and Proposed Decision on Source of Funding for the net cost incurred in providing universal service obligations during 2020

In accordance with national law, the designated undertaking providing universal services in the electronic communications sector, GO plc, has the right to request compensation for the net costs it considers to have incurred in providing part or all of the universal services. In 2021, the MCA received an application from GO plc claiming funding for the net costs it believed to have incurred during the financial year 2020. The MCA commissioned Ernst & Young Limited (EY) as an independent body to analyse and verify the application received. Following this review, the total net costs after deducting intangible benefits for providing universal services amounted to €158,892. In July 2025, the MCA published a consultation and proposed decision on the review of GO plc’s application for funding of the net costs claimed to have been incurred to provide universal service obligations during 2020. Subsequently, a decision notice was published in September 2025, based on the proposed decision.

A proposed decision is now being published on the source of funding for the compensation of the net cost incurred by GO plc for providing specific universal services during 2020. Following an analysis by the MCA on the final assessment of the claim for funding in relation to the USOs provided by GO plc during 2020, and in line with a decision by the Government of Malta, the established total amount of €158,892 may be financed from public funds. The consultation period shall run from 25 September 2025 to 10 October 2025.

Closing On: Friday 10th October 2025