EQT’s latest global infrastructure fund has acquired a Maltese telecom operator from Apax Partners and Fortino Capital.

The Stockholm-headquartered fund manager’s EQT Infrastructure IV fund said it has signed an agreement to buy Melita for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 1991, Melita owns converged fixed and mobile telecom infrastructure and is the market leading operator on Malta. Melita also offers colocation services and operates a purpose-built data centre.

EQT Infrastructure IV, which raised €9bn in March this year, said it intends to support Melita’s growth by further upgrading its fixed and mobile networks and opening an additional data centre location on Malta. 

It will also support Melita’s international growth strategy including its expansion in Italy as well as its internet of things connectivity proposition.

Ulrich Köllensperger, a partner at EQT Partners and investment advisor to EQT Infrastructure IV, said: “EQT has been built on a passion for developing companies. We invest in good companies across the globe with the aim of turning them not only into great companies but also sustainable ones.

“This is exactly the formula we aim to apply to Melita, which is already an innovator in the Maltese market and beyond in terms of infrastructure, products and customer service.”

Harald Rösch, CEO of Melita, said: “With the backing of EQT Infrastructure and their extensive experience in our industry, we will continue the journey by developing our networks and providing outstanding customer experience in the years to come.”