Increase in internet, mobile subscriptions

Internet and mobile subscriptions at the end of June were higher than in the same period last year. Television and fixed telephone subscriptions, however, were lower.

The National Statistics Office said that internet broadband subscriptions in the second quarter grew by 6.4 per cent reaching 134,007. A significant increase was noted in high-speed internet connections, while those below 10 Mbps became less popular.

The internet subscription index as at the end of June stood at 144.

Television subscriptions numbered 146,095, down by 1.1 per cent over 2011.

Digital subscriptions continue to dominate the market, with a share of 93.7 per cent. The number of analogue subscriptions continued to decline, reaching 9,257 - 20.9 per cent less than in the same quarter last year.

Fixed telephone subscriptions totalled 230,346, down four per cent over 2011. During the reference quarter, total fixed originating minutes to national and international networks dropped by 1.9 and 12.1 per cent, respectively.

On the other hand, total fixed originating minutes to national networks between fixed and mobile telephone lines advanced by nine per cent.

Mobile telephone subscriptions reached 541,575, up by 10.2 per cent when compared to the previous year. Increases were recorded in both post-paid and pre-paid schemes, albeit the latter remained in the majority.

The mobile penetration rate stood at 128.7 per cent, implying that a considerable number of individuals had more than one mobile account.

Increases were recorded in local originating mobile traffic, both towards fixed and mobile telephone networks. An increase was registered in outbound and inbound roaming, while SMS sent by local subscribers while roaming dropped by 23 per cent.

Total postal traffic for the reference quarter exceeded 9.9 million items, decreasing by 9.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Total parcels and other items counted 20,130 - a decrease of 10.6 per cent when compared to last year.