Despite the rapid growth of mobile and digital communication, more than a third of Maltese residents continue to use their landline on a regular basis, according to the latest Malta Communications Authority (MCA) survey on fixed telephony.

The study found that 38 per cent of respondents still make regular use of their landline, even as the overall relevance of fixed telephony in everyday life continues to diminish.

Interestingly, household access to fixed telephony has actually risen from 80 per cent in 2023 to 87 per cent in 2025. However, the MCA notes that this is largely due to bundling practices by service providers, where landlines are included in internet and TV packages by default rather than out of consumer demand.

Landlines seen as low-value, but satisfaction is high

The survey also highlighted that more than half of respondents are unaware of how much they pay for their landline service each month, underscoring its limited perceived value in the eyes of consumers.

Despite this, satisfaction levels among active users remain strong: 77 per cent reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their landline service in 2025, an increase from 73 per cent two years earlier.

Rising switching activity

Another key finding is that seven per cent of respondents switched their fixed telephony provider in the past two years, up from five per cent in 2023. This suggests a slightly more competitive market, even within a service category that many view as secondary.

The MCA remarked that while fixed telephony access remains widespread across Maltese households, its role in modern communications continues to evolve. For many, the landline has become a package add-on rather than a primary tool of communication, with mobile services increasingly dominant.