Telecoms industry contributes over 3 per cent of GDP in 2008

The telecommunications industry registered very positive results in 2008, contributing over 3 per cent to GDP, a significant increase over the 2.5 per cent of GDP produced in 2007, according to the Malta Communications Authority Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2008.

The total sector output reached just under €267 million. Employment in the sector also continued to grow. It stood at 2,612 as at the end of 2008, an increase of 117 when compared to 2007. During 2008, all telecommunications sectors continued to show growth both in terms of subscriptions and with respect to usage. In fixed telephony, traffic grew by 3.5 per cent over 2007. Mobile telephony subscriptions reached 94 per cent of the population, while broadband penetration reached 24.6 per cent to surpass the EU average. The pay TV market also grew to 89 per cent of the population compared to 84 per cent in 2007.

Infrastructure investment continued unabated with Go launching its second submarine cable and Melita making the final preparations for the launch of a third-generation network operator. To view the MCA Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2008 one may visit the MCA website at www.mca.org.mt.