More than 6,000 visitors on the lookout for the most advantageous telecoms package on local market
The electronic communications market thrives by constantly innovating and proactively meeting shifting user demands. Changes in user tendencies have been even further accelerated in this past year due to the upheaval caused across the world due to Covid-19. To monitor these evolving market developments, the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) regularly gathers data outlining the main trends observed for Malta’s telecom sector.
Unsurprisingly the latest MCA survey figures for 2020 show an increased demand for fast and ultra-fast fixed broadband. The total number of fixed broadband subscriptions amounted to 213,419 by the end of 2020, equivalent to a 5.4% increase over the previous year. The past year was also characterised by larger volumes of mobile voice calling when it comes to minutes consumed and higher mobile data consumption. In fact, the survey results showed that mobile data volumes consumed for 2020 totalled 34,088 million Mb, up by a staggering 141% on the previous year. Alongside this development, local mobile operators saw voice minute volumes jump by 14% yearon-year. In addition to this, the rising trend in bundle take-up strongly persists, with 93% of all fixed broadband purchases occurring in a bundle setting. Consumers are also showing a strong tendency to purchase triple-play packaged services, involving fixed broadband, fixed telephony and pay-TV services.
To assist Maltese citizens in navigating through the wide choice of diverse and varying packages available on the market, in January the MCA launched a price comparison tool with the name of Telecosts ( www.telecosts.com). When visiting the portal, consumers need to first choose a service (fixed telephony, mobile telephony, internet and bundles) and complete a short series of questions on their specific needs. Consumers are then provided with a list of service plans which fit their indicated preferences, sorted in accordance of the calculated monthly cost starting from the cheapest service plan available.
Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy and Industry applauded this initiative which seeks to further assert the MCA in its objective towards empowering consumers and effectively addressing their needs. “We want to aspire towards a Malta Communications Authority that is more focused on consumer needs,” said Schembri. He spoke on the government's vision for the MCA, which through proactive work should lead to our country having a more inclusive digital society. He mentioned the ongoing investment in telecommunications, including an investment by the MCA in a state-of-theart system with monitoring facilities strategically located around the island, over a period of three years. Minister Schembri praised the MCA for its reputation in the field of diligent regulation which promotes and facilitates continued investment and sustainable competition in the sector. He further stressed the importance of strong connectivity, especially for an island like Malta, which depends on interaction with Europe and international markets, to remain competitive. In the words of Minister Schembri: “The success we have achieved in the Maltese economy would never have been possible if it were not for the advanced infrastructure of the telecommunications sector. I will give priority to the communications industry that supports any other industry. This is particularly true at a time when we are looking at the diversification of the Maltese economy into technologically advanced sectors.”
Jesmond Buġeja, CEO of the MCA further emphasized that: “Telecosts is invaluable in helping consumers get the most value out of their chosen service plan, by providing transparent, up-to-date and comparable information from all local service providers.” He added that: “This project has so far proven to be successful in its intentions, with website visitor numbers proving that it is a sought-after tool.”
Since its launch the website has received a total of 6,393 visitors, with 916 returning visitors; this averages to 80 daily visitors who spend on average 2 minutes 26 seconds per session. The highest number of searches, by type of service, are on mobile telephony at 35%, followed by bundled services at 29%, broadband services at 28% and fixed telephony searches stirring the least interest at 8%.
The MCA continues to monitor and update the website with new market services and products to ensure a valid experience to its users. Consumers are encouraged to visit www.telecosts.com and conveniently compare all the available local tariff plans for mobile telephony, fixed telephony, internet, as well as bundled services for telephony, internet and TV.