The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Europe
Telecommunication systems Malta, in 35 editions.
The entry for Malta published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 27 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 27
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2024
Published as “Telecommunications” (1990 to 1994), “Telephone system” (1995 to 2019) and “Telecommunication systems” (2020 to 2024).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2024 edition
Same as 2023Published as “Telecommunications”
- modern automatic system centered in Valletta;
- 153,000 telephones;
- stations--9 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV;
- 1 submarine cable;
- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
modern automatic system centered in Valletta; 153,000 telephones; stations--9 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 1 submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- modern automatic system centered in Valletta;
- 163,800 telephones;
- stations--9 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV;
- 1 submarine cable;
- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
modern automatic system centered in Valletta; 153,000 163,800 telephones; stations--9 AM, 3 4 FM, 2 TV; 1 submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- automatic system satisfies normal requirements;
- 153,000 telephones;
- excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV;
- submarine cable and radio relay between islands;
- international service by 1 submarine cable;
- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
modern automatic system centered in Valletta; 163,800 satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones; stations--9
excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarine
cable and radio relay between islands; international service by 1 submarine
cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- automatic system satisfies normal requirements;
- 153,000 telephones;
- excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV;
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands;
- international service by 1 submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones;
excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarine
cable and microwave radio relay between islands; international service by 1 submarinecable; submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- automatic system satisfies normal requirements;
- 153,000 telephones;
- excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV;
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands;
- international service by 1 submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones;
excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarine
submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands;
international service by 1
INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telephone system”
153,000 telephones; automatic system satisfies normal requirements
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- 1 submarine cable and 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
153,000 telephones; automatic system satisfies
normal requirements; 153,000 telephones; requirementsexcellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; local: NA
intercity: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands; islandsinternational service by international: 1 submarine cable and 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth
station
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic system poor but improving;
- provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communications stations;
- expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Rewritten: too little of the 1995 text remains to mark the changes.
domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international :
- 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Rewritten: too little of the 1996 text remains to mark the changes.
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international : 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islandsinternational : international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1station-1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat station--1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
automatic system satisfies normal requirements
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station--1station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 2 submarine cables;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system satisfies normal requirements
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
The same text in 4 editions, 2004 to 2007.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system satisfies normal requirements
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- country code - 356;
- 2 submarine cables;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international: country code - 356; 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system satisfies normal requirements;
- fixed-line teledensity 50 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements requirements; fixed-line teledensity 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 per 100 persons
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international: country code - 356; 2 submarine cables; cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system is adequate; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
general assessment:
automatic system satisfies normal requirements; is adequate; combined fixed-line teledensity 50 per 100 persons; and mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
domestic:
submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international:
country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) (2008)
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 165 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
general assessment:
automatic system is adequate; featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 150 165 per 100 persons
domestic:
submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international:
country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment:
automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 165 180 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 190 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)
general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 190 per 100 persons
international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 185 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 190 185 per 100 persons
international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2016)
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 185 per 100 persons (2016)
- international:
- country code - 356;
- submarine cable connects to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2016)
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 185 per 100 persons (2016)
international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands;
- one of the most advanced telecoms in Europe, high penetration of mobile and broadband, and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities;
- '5G ready' and LTE network;
- regulatory system that encourages investors (2018)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 135 per 100 persons (2018)
- international:
- country code - 356;
- landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2016) islands; one of the most advanced telecoms in Europe, high penetration of mobile and broadband, and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities; '5G ready' and LTE network; regulatory system that encourages investors (2018)
domestic: combined fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 185 135 per 100 persons (2016) (2018)
international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connects connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016) (2019)
- general assessment:
- one of the most advanced telecoms in Europe, high penetration of mobile and broadband, and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities;
- stimulated by regulator measures to reduce consumer prices;
- extensive FttP network and investment in LTE and fiber thru 2023;
- launches 5G ready network (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 144 per 100 persons;
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2019)
- international:
- country code - 356;
- landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands; one of the most advanced telecoms in Europe, high penetration of mobile and broadband, and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities; '5G ready' stimulated by regulator measures to reduce consumer prices; extensive FttP network and investment in LTE network; regulatory system that encourages investors (2018) and fiber thru 2023; launches 5G ready network (2020)
domestic: fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 135 144 per 100 persons (2018) persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2019)
international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
- general assessment:
- blessed with advantageous topography and tech-savvy consumers, Malta has one of the most advanced telecom systems in Europe, with high penetration of mobile and broadband;
- expansion of e-commerce;
- government and regulator measures in 2020 reduced consumer prices and allowed extensive FttP network and investment in LTE and fiber thru 2023;
- operator delivered fiber network to public schools in 2020;
- launch of 5G network by 2020;
- submarine cable to France and Egypt in progress (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 144 per 100 persons;
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2019)
- international:
- country code - 356;
- landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment: blessed with advantageous topography and tech-savvy consumers, Malta has one of the most advanced telecoms telecom systems in Europe, with high penetration of mobile and broadband, broadband; expansion of e-commerce; government and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities; stimulated by regulator measures to reduce in 2020 reduced consumer prices; prices and allowed extensive FttP network and investment in LTE and fiber thru 2023; launches operator delivered fiber network to public schools in 2020; launch of 5G ready network by 2020; submarine cable to France and Egypt in progress (2020)
domestic: fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 144 per 100 persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2019)
international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect consequent restriction on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable services as a tool for work and satellite - has moderated school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
- general assessment:
- Malta’s small telecom sector is among the most advanced in Europe;
- this has been helped by the topography, which has made it relatively easy for operators to expand the reach of their fiber infrastructure;
- with high mobile and broadband penetration rates, the government and regulator have effective strategies in place to capitalize on these infrastructure developments to ensure that the population has among the fastest data rates in Europe, and is well positioned to take advantage of emerging e-commerce opportunities;
- the sector has also been stimulated by regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices;
- the incumbent telco is investing in a sub sea cable to connect the islands to France and Egypt;
- expected to be ready for service in 2022, the cable will further enhance Malta’s internet bandwidth and lead to reduced prices for end-users;
- there has also been some encouragement to increase market competition (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line approximately 59 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 143 per 100 persons;
- automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2020)
- international:
- country code - 356;
- landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
general assessment: blessed with advantageous topography and tech-savvy consumers, Malta has one of Malta’s small telecom sector is among the most advanced telecom systems in Europe, Europe; this has been helped by the topography, which has made it relatively easy for operators to expand the reach of their fiber infrastructure; with high penetration of mobile and broadband; expansion of e-commerce; broadband penetration rates, the government and regulator measures have effective strategies in 2020 reduced consumer prices and allowed extensive FttP network and investment place to capitalize on these infrastructure developments to ensure that the population has among the fastest data rates in LTE Europe, and fiber thru 2023; operator delivered fiber network is well positioned to public schools in 2020; launch take advantage of 5G network emerging e-commerce opportunities; the sector has also been stimulated by 2020; submarine regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices; the incumbent telco is investing in a sub sea cable to connect the islands to France and Egypt Egypt; expected to be ready for service in progress (2020) 2022, the cable will further enhance Malta’s internet bandwidth and lead to reduced prices for end-users; there has also been some encouragement to increase market competition (2021)
domestic: fixed-line 58 approximately 59 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 144 143 per 100 persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2019) (2020)
international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards toward 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and has increased due to the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became is still evident, and received some support from governments the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
The same text in 2023 and 2024.
- general assessment:
- Malta’s small telecom sector is among the most advanced in Europe;
- this has been helped by the topography, which has made it relatively easy for operators to expand the reach of their fiber infrastructure;
- with high mobile and broadband penetration rates, the government and regulator have effective strategies in place to capitalize on these infrastructure developments to ensure that the population has among the fastest data rates in Europe, and is well positioned to take advantage of emerging e-commerce opportunities;
- the sector has also been stimulated by regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices;
- the incumbent telco is investing in a sub sea cable to connect the islands to France and Egypt;
- expected to be ready for service in 2022, the cable will further enhance Malta’s internet bandwidth and lead to reduced prices for end-users;
- there has also been some encouragement to increase market competition (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line approximately 49 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 122 per 100 persons (2021)
- international:
- country code - 356;
- landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
general assessment: Malta’s small telecom sector is among the most advanced in Europe; this has been helped by the topography, which has made it relatively easy for operators to expand the reach of their fiber infrastructure; with high mobile and broadband penetration rates, the government and regulator have effective strategies in place to capitalize on these infrastructure developments to ensure that the population has among the fastest data rates in Europe, and is well positioned to take advantage of emerging e-commerce opportunities; the sector has also been stimulated by regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices; the incumbent telco is investing in a sub sea cable to connect the islands to France and Egypt; expected to be ready for service in 2022, the cable will further enhance Malta’s internet bandwidth and lead to reduced prices for end-users; there has also been some encouragement to increase market competition (2021)
domestic: fixed-line approximately 59 49 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 143 122 per 100 persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2020) persons (2021)
international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
No edition has those words. Try a shorter word.
Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Malta: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/malta/telecommunication-systems.