This quarter saw the introduction of a separation between broadband and narrowband. Narrowband is inclusive of dial-up, ISDN and mobile Internet, while broadband is inclusive of ADSL and cable. The number of narrowband subscribers are 12.4 per hundred population while 7.7 per 100 population make use of the broadband system.
As at the end of March, the number of mobile subscriptions rose by 16,274 or 5.9 per cent over the same period the year before. These amounted to 72.7 per 100 population compared to 69.1 in 2003. A 2.2 per cent or 4,582 increase was recorded in fixed telephone lines for the period January-March 2004. These therefore amount to 212,293 compared to the 207,711 in the same period 2003.
In the first quarter of this year, the number of VOIP (Voice over the Internet Protocol) minutes consumed reached 4,894,510.
Falls of 5.9 per cent and 12.1 per cent respectively were recorded in pager subscriptions and two-way radio licences. A small fall was also recorded in public card phone facilities. As at March 2004, these amounted to 1,577, which is 153 less than the same period last year.
On the other hand, a slight increase was recorded in public coin phones. Public web phones amounted to 69 in the period under review.
Cable television subscriptions edged upwards by 3.6 per cent to 99,732 compared to 96,240 in the first quarter of 2003. The ratio of subscriptions per 100 population rose to 24.9 during the quarter under review from 24.2 a year before.
At the same time, the number of satellite receiver licences were down by 559 or 3.4 per cent to 15,792 compared to the first quarter last year.
Following the publication of the NSO statistics, Minister for Competitiveness and Communications Censu Galea expressed his satisfaction on the increases in telecommunications access.
“The National Statistics Office figures released today pertinent to an Information Society is clear proof that this Government’s policy is paving the way in the right direction.”
Mr Galea said that the continuing increase in accessibility and subscriptions in Internet broadband, mobile and fixed telephone lines and cable television are clear proof that government is achieving its aim to make this sector accessible to all.
He said: “With a state-of-the-art telecommunications sector in place, Malta in the EU will have an added value to actively compete even more in the business sector and thus foster further prosperity and socio-economic stability. Malta is confident that it can play a more active role in the evolving global political economy in the years to come.
“This is what the Communications Ministry has been doing, and precisely what it continues to pursue in the future. Such figures are encouraging, and will enhance Malta’s competitiveness in all fields even more,” Mr Galea added.