Demand for higher-speed internet, mobile data grows

During the first half of 2026, demand for higher-speed fixed internet, post-paid mobile services and mobile data continued to grow, a report by the Malta Communications Authority read, while pay-TV subscriptions increased modestly and business demand for dedicated connectivity strengthened.

The MCA published its key market indicators for electronic communications and post for the first half of 2026.

Fixed internet subscriptions rose 2.5 per cent year-on-year, reaching 248,178 at the end of June 2026

The report notes that gigabit-capable services continued to gain traction, with subscriptions increasing by 34.6 per cent year-on-year. Around one in three fixed internet subscriptions are now subscribed to speeds of at least 1 Gbps, it said.

But despite the continued shift towards higher-speed services, average revenue per internet user (ARPU) slightly declined from €137.03 in the first half of 2025 to €136.10 in the first half of 2026.

High-quality dedicated connections

Business demand for dedicated connectivity continued to strengthen, reflecting the need for guaranteed performance, resilience and defined service-level commitments, the MCA said.

It highlighted that the number of dedicated connections increased by 6.7 per cent year-on-year, reaching 1,154 at the end of June 2026. “National connections continued to account for the largest share of the market and were concentrated mainly in the 100 Mbps to 500 Mbps speed range. International connections, by contrast, were more heavily concentrated at gigabit speeds.”

Mobile usage becoming increasingly data-driven

With regards to mobile telephony, the report notes that subscriptions reached 841,286 by the end of June 2026.

“The shift towards post-paid plans continued, with these subscriptions accounting for 58 per cent of the total, up from 54.8 per cent a year earlier.”

The MCA said that mobile usage became increasingly data-driven. “Domestic mobile data consumption reached 97,651 million MB, representing a year-on-year increase of 39.3 per cent.”

In contrast, the report notes that traditional mobile services continues to contract, with outgoing voice calls, voice traffic minutes and SMS volumes declining by 3.4 per cent, 2.6 per cent and 3.1 per cent, respectively.

The average revenue per unit for mobile telephony declines in the first half of this year , from €75.28 in the first half of 2025 to €71.49. “This development coincided with the continued shift towards post-paid plans, which commonly include bundled voice and data allowances.”

With regards to fixed telephony, the subscription base remained broadly stable, increasing by 0.8 per cent year-on year to 257,550 subscriptions at the end of June 2026. “Enhanced fixed telephony subscriptions recorded stronger growth of 7.8 per cent, although from a comparatively low base.”

Bundled offers remain the principal means of accessing pay-TV services

As for pay-TV, subscriptions rose by 2 per cent when compared to the first half of 2025, reaching 203,084 by the end of June 2026.

The report found that bundled offers remained the principal means of accessing pay-TV services, accounting for 82.8 per cent of subscriptions.

“Despite the modest increase in the subscriber base, Pay TV continued to be predominantly promoted through bundled offers. Over the same period, ARPU declined from €84.61 in the first half of 2025 to €80.60 in the first half of 2026.”

The report also provided an overview on postal activity.

It found that a total of 12.1 million mail items were handled across the Maltese Islands during the first half of 2026, which is 1.03 per cent less than the same period the previous year.