Epic Malta, the largest mobile operator in Malta by number of customers and certified as the fastest network in Malta by OOKLA, has partnered with international connectivity enabler, BICS (a Proximus Global company) to ensure its subscribers stay connected when traveling abroad.
With the sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks expected to peak in 2025 — impacting countries such as Iceland and Israel, as well as operators like Orange in France and VM02 in the UK — Epic is committed to keeping its subscribers connected while traveling to markets like the UK, the US and Asia.
Epic Malta Picks BICS to Drive Roaming Connectivity for Travellers
As operators around the world phase out 2G and 3G networks at varying speeds, compatibility issues arise, potentially leaving roamers stranded. BICS’ solution ensures interoperability between newer networks that carry voice calls over the internet (VoLTE) and older networks that use traditional circuit-switched lines. Without this solution, customers moving between VoLTE and non-VoLTE networks may be unable to make calls or send SMS messages including emergency numbers.
“While we continue to invest in delivering an unbeatable network experience for our customers, ensuring subscribers stay seamlessly connected when travelling beyond our network is crucial,” according to Epic Malta. “Partnering with BICS has been pivotal in achieving this goal. Their timely rollout has prepared us for the upcoming 2G/3G sunsets in 2025, with extensive trials and thorough testing ensuring the service meets the superior quality standards our customers deserve.”
Operators in 2G/3G-reliant markets, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, and smaller countries like Malta stand to benefit from this solution. While smaller markets often invest in 5G — Epic, for instance, offers nationwide 5G coverage — they may postpone VoLTE deployment due to the high implementation cost. Instead, these markets tend to prioritize other network upgrades before phasing out 2G/3G. With BICS’ VoLTE and SMS roaming enabler, operators have an affordable and efficient interim solution that guarantees uninterrupted roaming services.
“As operators work to enhance and upgrade their networks to deliver better services for their customers, priorities and timelines will naturally differ. With the rapid evolution of technology, the industry must proactively work to address any potential gaps that could arise. With this solution, Epic accesses the advantages of VoLTE roaming without the need for upfront investment or the ongoing burden of maintaining infrastructure,” says Jorn Vercamert, Chief Product Officer at Proximus Global.
This solution is specially tailored for operators transitioning from 2G/3G networks to VoLTE-only systems. It ensures connectivity from roamers coming from non-VoLTE markets, ensuring they stay connected while visiting the country without interruptions.
As a global leader in voice carrier services, BICS goes beyond merely ‘translating’ Epic’s voice traffic. It delivers unparalleled roaming service quality to subscribers, upholding stringent security standards, mitigating the risks of grey routing, and providing access to the world’s third-largest SMS hub for comprehensive communication support.
