Malta is one of seven EU member states avoiding infringement procedures for failing to put in place new consumer rights in the telecommunications sector.

“Malta is an exemplary member state in this area,” an EU official said yesterday.

The EU Executive yesterday decided to issue letters of formal notice – its first stage of a three-pronged legal procedure – against 20 member states for not putting in place the new rules, which give businesses and consumers new rights regarding phones, mobile services and internet access. These include the right for customers to switch provider in one day without changing a phone number, the right for more clarity about services and better protection of personal data online.

Member states had two years – until last May – to make the new rules part of their law books but only Malta, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Sweden and the UK have already done so.

While reiterating that “swift and consistent implementation of these rules is a priority of the EU’s digital agenda”, the Commission warned the 20 member states to implement the rules without further delay or risk being taken to the European Court of Justice.