Mobile telephone subscriptions exceed population size
The number of mobile telephone subscriptions at the end of September exceeded the size of the population, the NSO said today.
It said that subscriptions to all forms of communication technology increased when compared to the corresponding period in 2008.
The absolute number of mobile telephone subscriptions totalled 418,341. Subscriptions to post-paid schemes were recorded at 59,867, while pre-paid scheme subscriptions stood at 358,474.
"Therefore, as at the end of September the mobile penetration rate per 100 persons in the population exceeded 100 per cent," the NSO said.
"This indicates that there are a significant number of persons with more than one subscription. This phenomenon is also registered in most EU countries. Both the local originating mobile traffic and outbound roaming experienced an increase compared to the corresponding period in 2008."
On the other hand, a decrease was registered in inbound roaming and traffic.
The fixed-telephone subscription index increased by 4.4 per cent from 113.6 in 2008 (quarter 3) to 118.6 in 2009.
Total fixed originating minutes to the national network amounted to around 164 million minutes, with an increase of 9.6 per cent over the comparative quarter in 2008.
The fixed telephony to the international network time totalled 14 million minutes.
The internet subscription index rose by 10.4 per cent from 135.9 in quarter 3 last year to 150.1 in 2009. 26 per cent of the population had an internet subscription.
Whilst, the number of active narrowband (dial-up) subscriptions decreased by 65.5 per cent, the number of broadband users increased by 12.5 per cent when comparing corresponding quarters.
As at the end of September 2009, just over 95 per cent of broadband subscribers had a connection speed of more than or equal to 2Mbps.
The analogue and digital TV subscriptions index advanced by 9.0 per cent, and reached a penetration rate of 96.8 per cent of households as at the end of September.
Digital subscriptions amounted to 75.3 per cent of the overall subscriptions.
Total postal traffic for the third quarter of 2009 amounted to around 10.4 million items a drop of 3.7 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2008
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Ian Bugeja
Jan 18th 2010, 23:38
@ G Micallef there are seven operators in all - vodafone, go, melita, red touch, mtv, ping, valletta fc (for those who did not know)
@ C. Camilleri - how do u define poverty from mobile subscriptions? If anything they might be an indicator of improved standard of living
@ N Lawrence - mobiles and car crashes have nothing to do with each other - if you said poor driving skills and car crashes yes - please note that Sweden have a mobile rate of over 200% ... what are they supposed to do increase car crashes by double? hah :)
GiovDeMartino
Dec 4th 2009, 18:31
Il-gid li haw tarah b'ghajnejk u tmissu b'idejk! Se johorgu xi erba' bonds ohra tghid?
N. Lawrence
Dec 3rd 2009, 20:38
At least there are still a few of us left who don't even want to own one.
Is it a coincidence that we have a lot more "drivers losing control of their car" instances, since the advent of the mob phon.?
Karl Abela
Dec 3rd 2009, 17:36
@ Galea L
It is a pity to find someone like you finding excuses whenever a positive topic about our island is posted on this publication.
Malta is 1 of 60 countries world wide whose mobile subscriptions have exceeded populations size.
This is an obvious sign of prosperity & comfort in our country if you ask me.
Galea. L
Dec 3rd 2009, 16:00
c. camilleri
How many of them are companies mobiles given to their higher employees to keep in constant contact?
How many of them are mobiles given to higher government employees, apart from ministers etc, local counselors etc paid for by us taxpayers?
How many are in actual use?
c. camilleri
Dec 3rd 2009, 15:24
This one indication of the poverty that exists in these islands.
John Micallef
Dec 3rd 2009, 12:25
For example i have 3 mobiles: one for work, one for my relatives & one for my girlfriends!! LOL
G.Micallef
Dec 3rd 2009, 11:57
Mobile telephone subscriptions exceed population size and yet tariffs are still sky-high when compared to other European countries!!! Maybe we need the fourth/fifth provider to get some better deals?!
Stephen Farrugia
Dec 3rd 2009, 11:46
What everyone forgets is that Malta has another 70,000 people that don't show up as part of the population and it is normal to have two lines in Europe.
D. Scerri
Dec 3rd 2009, 11:43
Must be true: Every man and his dog has a mobile phone.