Valletta
Practical Life
Mobile Phone
Overall, mobile phones are more expensive to purchase in Malta than in other countries, especially brand name smart phones such as iPhones and Blackberries.
Providers
Mobile phone services are available from local companies:
- Melita
- RedTouch
- GO
And international company Vodafone.
These companies maintain offices in many localities throughout Malta, including Sliema, St. Julian's, the Malta International Airport, and Valletta.
Contracts
Post-paid (monthly) mobile plans/contracts in Malta are generally one to three years in length. Post-paid plans are generally billed monthly, and can be paid online, in person, or at a Malta Post branch
If you are a foreigner, you may be asked to present your passport, proof of residence, and a deposit on your account to open a post-paid mobile plan.
Pay As You Go
Pay as you go mobile tariffs in Malta are inexpensive compared to North America, and comparable with the rest of Europe.
On pre-paid or pay as you go plans, SMS are available from €0.04 each, and local calling is available from €0.08 per minute.
Pay as you go phones can be ‘topped up' using top-up cards, which can be purchased at Malta Post offices and sub post offices, corner shops, and telecommunications shops.
How to Choose a Mobile Contract Plan
There are some basic points you need to consider for choosing the right deal.
Personal Use: Evaluate how much you use the phone, when, where you are calling, how often you use short message services (SMS), if you use the phone abroad, etc. Also evaluate if your contacts use the same provider you are considering - often calls or SMS in the same network are free in Malta.
Fees & Rates: Each operator offers several different plans and options. Investigate the plans carefully and evaluate your needs. Some mobile plans in Malta include a free phone, vouchers, or other promotional offers.
25/05/2013