There will continue to be a printed telephone directory which has to be provided as an essential service, the Malta Communications Authority said.

It said in a statement that after thorough analysis of the feedback it received following a consultation process initiated in May, it decided that the printed directory should be retained as one of the services which will continue to be provided as a universal service.

Universal services are the minimum set of electronic communication services considered essential to the public, such as access to fixed telephony services, a printed directory and directory enquiry services and access to public payphones.

Such services also include measures for disabled users, a provision of reduced tariffs to eligible users and means to ensure that users can control expenditure, such as pre-paid and call-barring services.

These services should be available upon reasonable request without distorting competition and must be provided at an affordable price.

Parties interested in providing any of these services should submit an expression of interest by June 30.

The provider of each universal service will then be designated following an evaluation process.