Decision Notice on the review of GO plc's application for funding of the net cost claimed to have been incurred to provide universal service obligations during 2021

In accordance with national law, a universal service provider in the electronic communications sector has the right to request compensation for the net cost it considers to have incurred in providing part or all of the universal services.

The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) received a written request from GO plc (GO), as the universal service provider, seeking compensation for the net cost it claimed to have incurred for the provision of universal service obligations during financial year 2021. The MCA commissioned Ernst & Young Limited (EY) as an independent body to review and verify GO’s application.

EY’s review and verification exercise confirmed that GO had incurred an element of unfair burden in providing social tariffs in 2021. GO’s application also included the intangible benefit derived from brand enhancement through the provision of universal services. After deducting this market benefit, the net cost was established at €117,604.

On 20 March 2026, the MCA published a consultation document presenting the outcome of EY’s review and verification exercise and the proposed decision to recognise a net cost of €117,604. No feedback was received during the consultation period, which ran until 20 April 2026. The MCA is therefore publishing its decision in line with the proposal set out in the consultation document.