Malta’s broadband policy is technology-neutral and favours a competitive market environment.
Summary of broadband development in Malta
The Malta Diġitali 2022-2027 focuses on the transformation that is required through the digital aspect, aiming at a better society and a thriving economy.
National broadband strategy and policy
Responsible authorities
- The field of broadband development falls under the responsibility of the Office of the Prime Minister.
- The Malta Information Technology Agency is the central driver of information and communication technology policy, programmes and initiatives within Government.
- The national regulatory authority for electronic communications and spectrum management is the Malta Communications Authority (MCA). Through its Information Society arm, the MCA is implementing a number of demand stimulation measures aimed to increase take-up of superfast broadband services.
Main aims for broadband development
The Malta Diġitali 2022-2027 builds on the progress in the realisation of Malta’s preceding Digital Malta Strategy 2014-2020. The vision is to establish digital as the key driving force for the transformation required to:
- Make the lives of Maltese citizens better, enable businesses to thrive, and make government services more accessible.
- Achieve economic growth through innovation and further strategic focus on specific societal and economic areas of importance.
Digital dimension is regarded as the driving force for transformation leading to a better society and a thriving economy. One of the Strategy’s high-level goals is to prioritise investments in technical and infrastructural digital capabilities. The regulation and legislation, infrastructure and funding are considered as generic strategic enablers for the digital transformation. One of the planned actions is to support continued investment in local and international digital connectivity, provide broader access to the internet, and strengthen the resilience of Malta’s national infrastructure.Malta Diġitali relies on a market driven approach which seems feasible considering the high population density.
The Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) published its MITA Digital Strategy 2021-2023. The strategy aims to, among others strengthen core services and connectivity in terms of resilience, security and redundancy.
Malta issued a National Roadmap for the UHF band between 470 –790 MHz in 2018 as well as a discussion paper and survey 5G Demand and Future Business Models. Towards a Feasible 5G Deployment in 2019, with references to Gigabit Society 5G targets.
Malta’s Recovery and Resilience Plan foresees EUR 67.6 million (26%) to the digital transformation. A large part thereof is expected to contribute to the Digital Decade targets. Yet none of the RRP measures is dedicated to digital infrastructure targets.
Data on broadband development and technologies in Malta
For the latest data on broadband coverage, subscriptions and penetrations, coverage of different broadband technologies and costs check the scoreboard reports and the country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless broadband
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments consult the European 5G Observatory.
National and EU publications and press documents
English
- Malta Diġitali 2022-2027
- Malta Information Society homepage
- Broadband Investment Handbook
- Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2022
- Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
Contact information
BCO Malta (national Broadband Competence Office): Malta Communications Authority
Address: Valletta Waterfront, Pinto Wharf, Floriana, FRN 1913, Malta
Contact via email
Phone: +35 6 9943 4552
Website
Office of the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation
Address: Auberge de Castille, Valletta VLT 1061, Malta
Contact via email
Phone: +356 2200 1467
Website
Malta Information Technology Agency
Address: Gattard House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda HMR 9010, Malta
Contact via email
Phone: +35 621 23 47 10
Website
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Related Content
Big Picture
Find current information on broadband development in each country, as well as national strategies and policies for developing broadband.
See Also
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Digital connectivity and 5G rollout are among the ten strategic priorities of the Spain Digital 2025 Agenda.
Slovenia opts for technological neutrality and market dynamics in developing broadband networks, in particular infrastructure- and service-based competition.
Slovakia has set the long-term objective of providing all households with access to ultra-fast internet by 2030.
Romania focuses on building up a national broadband network as a step towards achieving the EU connectivity targets.
The Agenda Portugal Digital and the National Strategy for Connectivity in Very High Capacity Electronic Communication Networks for 2023-2030 shape development of a digital infrastructure in Portugal.
Poland’s national broadband plan 2025 is in line with the EU’s Gigabit Society targets.
All households in the Netherlands should have the opportunity to access broadband networks of at least 100 Mbps and a vast majority should be taking advantage of 1 Gbps by 2023.
The development of a communication infrastructure with a target of gigabit broadband access throughout the country is one of the priorities in the governmental programme of Luxembourg.
Lithuania aims to provide 100 Mbps by 2027 to rural areas as well supporting the Gigabit society targets 2025.
Latvia supports the Gigabit society targets and aims at 100 Mbps, upgradable to gigabit, for urban and rural areas as well as 5G coverage for all large urban areas.
The Italian Strategy for Ultra Broadband Towards the Gigabit Society aims to provide gigabit connectivity to all by 2026.
The national broadband plan for Ireland foresees that by 2026 all premises in Ireland will have access to high-speed broadband.
Hungary’s National Digitalisation Strategy 2021-2030 aims to achieve a target of 95% of households covered by gigabit networks by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan 2021-2027 promotes the use of fixed very high capacity and 5G networks. The Greek Digital Transformation Bible 2020-2025 highlights connectivity as one of the five strategic axes and acknowledges the Gigabit Society 2025 targets.
The 2021 coalition agreement, the Digital Strategy and the Gigabit Strategy 2022 of the German Federal Government prioritise the nationwide supply of FTTH and 5G networks.
The national broadband programme France Très Haut Débit sets a target of fast broadband access for all households by 2022 and fibre for all by 2025.
The Finnish authorities favour a competition-driven, fibre-based network roll-out assisted by public funds for underserved areas and advice for local municipalities on how to deploy broadband networks.
Estonia has established basic broadband coverage throughout the country. The Estonian Digital Agenda sets ambitious targets for 2030.
A number of political initiatives aiming at nation-wide fixed and mobile broadband coverage support Danish broadband goals. The Government works towards making Denmark a digital frontrunner by creating a foundation for Danish businesses to exploit digital technologies.
The National Plan for the Development of Very High Capacity Networks, approved in March 2021, defines the strategic approach of the Czech Republic to the construction of VHCN.
Cyprus’ broadband plan sets strategic objectives for 2021-2025 and includes legislative and regulatory interventions as well as practical support for the development of broadband infrastructure.
Croatian National Plan for Broadband Development 2021–2027 responds to the European Gigabit Society objectives 2025 and partially to the 2030 digital targets.
The National Broadband Infrastructure Plan for Next Generation Access "Connected Bulgaria" and the Policy on electronic communications were updated and adopted in August 2020.
Belgium’s broadband strategy is incorporated into a broader policy strategy Digital Belgium. The aim of the national plan for fixed and mobile broadband is to eliminate the remaining white areas where high speed services are unavailable. By lowering costs and reducing...
Austria’s broadband strategy focuses on the nationwide supply of Gigabit connections (fixed and mobile) by 2030.