‘General improvement’ in quality of service performance of mobile communication providers, MCA finds

The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) concluded its second independent benchmark on the Quality of Service (QoS) of mobile communication providers.

It assessed the quality of voice and data services by mobile service providers in and across Malta and Gozo against internationally recognised standards. 

“The results demonstrate a general improvement in mobile QoS performance when compared with the previous benchmark, particularly in voice performance, call set-up time and regional performance,” the MCA said.

After a tender process in 2024, the MCA commissioned Systemics-PAB, an international specialised company in mobile QoS benchmarking  to conduct this exercise. The aim of the assessment is to provide a snapshot of the best-available mobile quality of service and to support the MCA in evaluating whether more regulatory measures regarding the quality of service are needed.

The measurements were conducted in 2025, and operators were not informed of the specific testing period. The testing, it said, involved drive tests throughout the islands, and walk-tests in less accessible sports. Approximately 1,500km were covered.

“Testing used the highest available consumer postpaid plans to assess maximum network performance; results may therefore not necessarily reflect a typical mobile user experience.”

The results found that Epic was the overall top performer, with GO coming in a close second, and Melita third.

When it comes to voice call experience, Epic led the way, followed by GO.

“Compared with the previous benchmark, the results show better voice performance across all regions and operators, with reduced call set-up time and improved voice quality. All operators delivered comparable results in key voice indicators, with Epic recording the strongest overall outcome.”

Epic also led the wat in data throughput (the rate at which data is successfully transferred over a network or device), followed by GO.

“The highest download throughput was recorded in the Northern Harbour region, with lower speeds in the other regions.”

Go ranked first in the browsing, streaming and online gaming categories, with Epic coming in second in them.

Epic led in data transfer and internet-based calling through WhatsApp, followed by GO. Epic also recorded the most consistent scores across the different regions, followed by GO.  “Gozo and Western regions showed marked improvement since the previous benchmark, although they continued to show the lowest levels of 5G deployment. All operators provided robust nationwide 4G coverage.”