Eighty-two per cent of Maltese businesses have a fixed line connection, 64 per cent make use of broadband internet and 46 per cent pay for mobile phones and respective services used by employees for work purposes, a Malta Communications Authority survey, carried out between August and September, has found.

A total 68 per cent of businesses have one fixed line connection, 30 per cent have two to four lines, while two per cent have more than five lines.

The survey shows that eight per cent of businesses with a fixed line connection are subscribed to more than one operator. Forty-five per cent of businesses with a fixed telephone connection have a prepaid subscription.

The majority of businesses (70 per cent) making use of mobile phones for work related matters are on postpaid type of plan.

The survey indicated that there is overall satisfaction with the telecom services provided in Malta – 79 per cent with respect to fixed telephony, 82 per cent in the case of mobile telephony services and 76 per cent with respect to broadband Internet.

In terms of pricing, the majority of businesses think fixed telephony and broadband rates are reasonable or very reasonable.

On the other hand, mobile tariff rates are still perceived to be on the high side with only 34 per cent of businesses expressing the view that mobile rates are reasonable or very reasonable.