Payphone network to be upgraded

Maltacom is to upgrade its payphone network and opt for a more efficient and customer-friendly system operating on modern chip-card technology and pre-payment method "in the very near future", the company said.

During the first few months of the transition, Maltacom will be running new and old in parallel thus giving consumers ample time to use up remaining credit on the telecards currently in circulation.

"We plan to phase out old payphones gradually and are aiming at a smooth, hassle-free process thus causing as little bother as possible to the local consumer," the company said.

After the cut-off date, it will only be possible for users to buy the old type of card from retailers with remaining stocks - until these last. Members of the public have the opportunity to continue using old cards in the old-type payphone for a few more months, up to the very end of the programme.

"We appeal for the full co-operation of the general public to use up all the credit on their telecards before the old-type payphones are removed completely from the local marketplace by later this year," Maltacom said.

In case of any queries or problems during the transition to the new payphone card system, customers may contact Maltacom through the Maltacom Group Portal www.maltacom.com or call freephone 183 or customer helpline 2121 2121.