Payphone network to be upgraded

Maltacom will upgrade its entire payphone network and opt for a more efficient and customer-friendly system operating on modern chip-card technology and pre-payment method.

"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," a company spokesman said.

The programme kicks off on September 18 when technicians will be out on the streets removing existing payphones and replacing them with state-of-the-art equipment. From the same date, a new stock of cards to use from the new payphones will be available from Maltacom branch offices and all retail outlets. There will be no sale of old telecards after the cut-off date.

During the initial stages of the transition, Maltacom will be running both systems - new and old - in parallel and will be leaving 100 old-type payphones installed at various localities in Malta and Gozo. This will give consumers ample time to use up remaining credit on telecards currently in circulation. A list of these localities will be available at local councils.

Members of the public can continue to use existing telecards in the old-type payphones up to the end of December.

Meanwhile, customers who prefer to exchange existing, unused telecards for the new cards are being given every opportunity to do so for a limited period of four weeks, from September 18 to October 18 (both days included).

Cards can be exchanged from any Maltacom branch Mondays to Fridays from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. or from the Payzone Branch Office at the Maltacom radio link in Naxxar, Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m..

In case of any queries or problems during the transition to the new payphone card system, customers are welcome to contact Maltacom through the Maltacom Group Portal www.maltacom.com or call 183 or Customer Helpline 2121 2121.