Only 34 per cent of businesses think mobile phone tariffs are reasonable or very reasonable, according to a survey by the Malta Communications Authority.

46 per cent of companies pay for the mobile phone services used by their employees for work purposes

But when it comes to fixed phone rates and broadband internet, businesses say they are more satisfied with the prices, at 48 and 50 per cent respectively.

Businesses were much more positive when asked about the quality of the services offered – 79 per cent were satisfied with fixed phones, 82 per cent with mobile and 76 per cent with broadband internet.

The survey also found that fewer than a fifth of businesses (18 per cent) bought telecommunication services in a bundle.

The study, carried out between August and September, found that 46 per cent of companies pay for the mobile phone services used by their employees for work purposes. It also found that 82 per cent of Maltese businesses used a fixed line phone connection and 64 per cent made use of broadband internet.

Sixty-eight per cent of businesses have one fixed line, 30 per cent have up to four and two per cent have more than five lines.

Eight per cent of businesses with fixed lines subscribe to more than one operator.

Businesses are more likely than others to have prepaid fixed phone connections: 45 per cent of businesses compared with 18 per cent in the whole market.

Seventy per cent of businesses making use of mobile phones for work matters opt for a post-paid plan, compared to 20 per cent of households who claim to have a mobile subscription of this type.