The changes to the tariff system can be summarised as follows:

• A substantial reduction in international tariffs, in some case by more than 75 per cent.

• An increase in annual rental fees from Lm25.92 to Lm30.78 for residential subscribers and from Lm52 to Lm68 for business subscribers.

• Night tariffs – calls between 6pm and 6am will be charged at 5.39c for every 30-minute pulse (previously charged for every call, regardless of duration) for residential subscribers and 5c for every 30-minute pulse for business subscribers.

• There will be a removal of 60 per cent of free pulses for residential subscribers. These free pulses will only apply to “night” local call charges – calls that are made between 6pm and 6am – and cannot be used for VoIP/Internet access.

• Maltacom’s social rebate will be capped at 5,000 subscribers.

When contacted, Maltacom plc chairman Saviour Portelli said the company had not received any complaints or comments about the new tariffs from its customers.