The Maltese do not switch off when they go abroad - literally.

An EU survey showed today that among users of mobile phones while travelling within other EU countries, the Maltese, and the Cypriots, are the least likely not to use their phone.

The survey by Eurostat showed that just 6% of Maltese and Cypriot tourists do not use their mobile phone while travelling.

The survey showed that most Maltese prefer to text rather than use voice telephony while travelling at 78% and 64% respectively.The figure for texting is the second highest in the EU after the Irish at 81%.

10% of Maltese travellers use internet services on their phone while abroad, and 1% buy a new SIM card.

The survey found that almost three quarters of Europeans are worried about the cost of using their mobile phone when travelling in the EU. 72% of travellers still limit their roaming calls because of high charges even if a majority is aware that prices have fallen since 2006.

Only 19% of people who use internet-related services on their mobile phones when abroad think the costs of data-roaming for (Internet surfing or checking e-mails) are fair.

Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda said: "Telecom companies must listen to their customers. Consumers feel there is still much room for improvement, particularly for data roaming. As I promised in the Digital Agenda for Europe, I intend to ensure better roaming solutions for European citizens and businesses."

Despite an estimated 13% fall in travel between 2006 and 2010, the overall volume of calls received and SMS sent while abroad in the EU has grown during that period. Travellers report making 32% more calls, receiving 31% more calls and texting 43% more since 2006.

The survey also showed different habits across the European population. For instance:

• Men are more likely to make voice calls (57%) while more women prefer to send text messages (56%).

• 88% of Cypriots mostly use voice services but only 44% of British travellers (64% in Malta).

• 81% of Irish mobile users roaming in the EU favour text messages and only 24% of Portuguese.

• 32% of Bulgarians and Portuguese do not use their mobile phones abroad at all - compared to just 6% of Maltese and Cypriots.

• Young people are now significantly more likely to use roaming services compared to 2006 figures (making voice calls: +43%; receiving calls: +42% and sending text messages: +51%).

• 30% of retired people and 15% of 25-39 year olds do not use their mobile phones abroad at all.

Worries over high roaming call and data costs

Among frequent travellers, 61% are aware that roaming prices decreased following the EU's intervention. However, the changes in consumer behaviour have not all been positive:

• Around 1 in 5 mobile users have cut down their use of roaming services in the past 4 years. This is due to their perception of the cost.

• 72% of mobile users continue to limit their mobile voice calls while abroad because they are worried about the costs.

• 81% of Swedes, 72% of Italians and 57% of Greeks are using roaming voice services less because of cost concerns.

The survey also shows that data roaming services (such as surfing on websites or downloading data) have started to take-off with 10% of respondents making use of these services.

• 17% of Lithuanians and 15% of Spanish say that data roaming is the service they use most while abroad whilst only 2% of Hungarians and 4% of Germans use this the most.

• Young people are more likely to use data roaming: 15% of 15-24 years old prefer to surf on their mobile abroad compared to 6% of people over 55.

• However, the price of data roaming is generally not regarded as reasonable with only 19% of respondents saying that the cost of data roaming services is fair.