Vodafone Malta announced yesterday that it has registered an 80 per cent increase in mobile Internet usage in just one year.

Addressing a press conference at the Vodafone outlet in Republic Street, Valletta yesterday, Alexandre Froment-Curtil, head of marketing at Vodafone Malta, said smartphones have become very relevant to Maltese society.

Smartphones are the ideal solution for those who want to remain constantly updated, irrespective of where they happen to be at any given time, said Mr Froment-Curtil.

Vodafone has just introduced the HTC Wildfire, HTC’s latest advanced smartphone, which is great for surfing the Internet, capturing special moments on camera, viewing and sharing photos, and listening to your favourite songs.

The HTC Wildfire is being given free to clients who subscribe to the Smartphone 30 Plan, whose monthly access fee is just €30.

Consumers are beginning to understand the benefits of smartphones and are more than willing to take the leap and change their mobile phones for smartphones.

In fact, Vodafone has registered an increase in the demand for smartphones and monthly plans, particularly in the last few months.

In the last two weeks, more than 30 per cent of Vodafone customers have chosen the company’s new smartphone plans.

To mark this increase in demand, Vodafone organised open days in its major outlets yesterday, helping people familiarise themselves with the latest devices on the market.

Faced with this increase in demand, Vodafone is committed to be at the forefront of the local market by offering the widest range of smartphones.

Mr Froment-Curtil said: “Vodafone is committed to continue offering the cheapest prices on phones, the best network, the best tariffs, the best handsets and the best support.”

He referred to the company’s continuous investment to continue upgrading its services. Last year, Vodafone invested €12 million to upgrade its network and its mobile broadband speed is now twice as fast as that of any other local operator.

Vodafone is also keen on promoting environment friendly measures, one of which is its e-billing system.

Mr Froment-Curtil said 82 per cent of the company’s customers have signed up to this system.

“It’s all about educating our customers, both with regard to the latest technology and also green initiatives.”

Vodafone’s gadget lab will be touring the island to introduce the latest smartphones to companies and individuals.

At the same time, the company is supporting Mobile Monday, an independent not-for-profit organisation that is committed to the growth of the local and international mobile industry.