The merger between Datastream and Terranet, both subsidiary companies of Maltacom Group, is expected to be completed by the end of this month, Terranet CEO Keith Fearne said yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference launching new broadband internet initiatives, Mr Fearne said all ADSL broadband connections will now benefit from two megabit connections – double what was being previously offered.

He said the company was at present offering these services at a starting price of Lm9.95, that was below the Lm10 psychological barrier.

Broadband infiltration in Malta is ten per cent, seven percentage points higher than the ten EU average, he said.

Terranet has over 26,000 broadband customers.

Senior Network Architect, Ing. Geoffrey Cauchi said the company’s expansion plans would start on a trial basis with selected customers.

This upgrade will offer speeds of up to 8 megabits per second and trials were already under way to install new ADSL 2 technology, he said.

ADSL 2 will allow speeds of up to 24 megabits per second.

Mr Fearne said the new company was undergoing a re-branding and repositioning exercise.

The new company will be operating from a single office network by the end of the month.