Table of Contents Malta Internet 2025: What You Need to Know About Fiber and 5G Internet Providers in Malta Compared: Epic, Melita & GO Fiber Malta: Availability and Speeds in Detail 5G Malta: Network Coverage for Mobile Work Home Office Malta: My Experience With the Digital Infrastructure Internet Costs Malta: Prices and Packages for Every Need Malta Internet Problems: What You Should Know Frequently Asked Questions Malta Internet 2025: What You Need to Know About Fiber and 5G After two years of real life in Malta, I can promise you one thing: Internet won’t be your biggest challenge on the island. But it’s absolutely something you should look into—especially before you plan your first sea-view Zoom call. In recent years, Malta has made major investments in its digital infrastructure. EU membership since 2004 plus its reputation as a gaming and FinTech hub have ensured the internet here is much better than you might expect. But—this is important—there are differences between providers, regions, and building types that can mean the difference between frustrating video calls and smooth remote work. The Current State of Malta’s Internet Supply Compared to other EU countries, Malta ranks 18th out of 27 for internet speed (Source: Speedtest Global Index, 2024). That sounds average, but the numbers are misleading. The average fixed broadband download is 85 Mbps—more than enough for remote work, streaming, and even large cloud deployments. What makes Malta unique? The island’s small enough that almost everywhere has fiber available. 96% of households have access to high-speed internet (Source: Malta Communications Authority, 2024). Infrastructure is rarely the real issue; the challenge is finding the right provider for your needs. Fiber vs. 5G: What Fits Your Malta Plan? This is where things get interesting for our three Malta personas. Anna, in Malta for a 10-day workation, usually gets by just fine with a solid 5G package. Luca, testing Malta for six months, will want a reliable fixed line. And Dr. Mara, planning for the long term—fiber to the home is a must. Fiber Malta: Up to 1 Gbps download, stable latency below 10ms, ideal for home office 5G Malta: Up to 300 Mbps mobile, perfect for workations and flexible working Hybrid Solutions: Many providers offer combos of fixed line and mobile hotspot Internet Providers in Malta Compared: Epic, Melita & GO I’ve tried all three major providers—both by choice and by necessity, depending on where I was living. Here’s my honest take after two years with Malta internet: Epic Communications: The Fiber Specialist Epic is the newcomer, fully focused on fiber. Since 2019, theyve aggressively expanded and now cover large parts of Sliema, St. Julian’s, and Valletta. Package Download/Upload Price/Month Best For Epic Starter 100/100 Mbps €29.99 Workation, Single Home Office Epic Pro 500/500 Mbps €39.99 Intensive Remote Work, Streaming Epic Ultra 1000/1000 Mbps €49.99 Business, Large Cloud Workloads My Experience: Epic is fantastic—if they’re in your street. The symmetrical upload speeds are gold for video calls. Customer service actually replies in English; no need to stumble through three phrases in Maltese first. Melita: The Traditional Provider With a TV Focus Melita’s been around since 1992 and is the largest cable provider. They have the biggest network, but also the most inconsistent. Some areas have fiber, others still use coax cables. Melita Internet 200: 200/20 Mbps for €35/month Melita Internet 500: 500/50 Mbps for €45/month Melita Gigabit: 1000/100 Mbps for €55/month Reality Check: The upload speeds are asymmetric—you’ll notice the difference with large uploads or if you want to stream yourself. But they have the best TV packages, great if you want to figure out Maltese television (spoiler: not easy). GO Malta: The Allround Provider GO is the former state provider and offers the best mobile network. Their fixed-line infrastructure is solid but not outstanding. Service Speed Highlight Starting Price GO Fibre 100-1000 Mbps German-language support €32/month GO Mobile 4G/5G unlimited EU roaming included €25/month GO Business Symmetrical up to 500 Mbps SLA guaranteed €89/month Which Provider for Whom? For Anna (Workation 10 Days): GO Mobile with unlimited 5G. Costs €25/month, cancel anytime after your workation. The hotspot works everywhere in Malta. For Luca (6 months test): Epic, if available. Otherwise, Melita Internet 500. Neither has minimum contract length for foreigners—a Malta bonus! For Dr. Mara (long-term): Epic Ultra or GO Business, depending on where you live. With permanent residence you get better deals. Fiber Malta: Availability and Speeds in Detail Fiber in Malta is a bit like a well-kept secret—supposedly available everywhere, but in practice it depends on your address. I live in Sliema, and I have fiber right to my apartment. My friend in Rabat (yes, there’s a Maltese Rabat too) has been waiting for eight months. Where Is Fiber Available in Malta? Fiber coverage follows a clear pattern: The more touristy and densely populated the area, the better the infrastructure. 100% Fiber Coverage: Valletta, Sliema, St. Julians, Swieqi, Ta Xbiex 80-95% Coverage: Birkirkara, Msida, Gzira, San Gwann 60-80% Coverage: Mosta, Naxxar, Lija, Balzan Below 60%: Rural areas, Gozo (but expanding quickly) Important: Even in 100% zones, your specific building might not be connected yet. Older apartments in Valletta sometimes only have coax, even if the street has fiber. Fiber Speeds: What Do You Really Get? I regularly test my connection because as a remote project manager, I need reliability. Here are my measurements from the last 12 months: Provider Advertised Speed Measured Average Peak Times (6-9pm) Epic Pro 500/500 Mbps 480/470 Mbps 420/450 Mbps Melita Gigabit 1000/100 Mbps 850/95 Mbps 650/80 Mbps GO Fibre 200 200/200 Mbps 190/185 Mbps 160/170 Mbps Conclusion: Epic is consistently close to what’s advertised. Melita fluctuates more, but is more than enough for most needs. GO is solid, but not spectacular. Latency and Stability for Remote Work Speed is one thing, stability is another. For video calls, low latency matters more than massive bandwidth. My measurements to European servers: Frankfurt/Amsterdam: 28-35ms (similar for all providers) London: 45-52ms Italy: 15-25ms (geographically closest) US East Coast: 120-140ms No issues for European remote teams. It’s noticeably slower for US clients, but doable. 5G Malta: Network Coverage for Mobile Work 5G in Malta sounds futuristic, but it’s a reality now—at least in the tourist districts. I use 5G regularly for workation days at the beach, or when I work with my laptop in a café. 5G Coverage in Malta: Where Does It Actually Work? Malta may be small, but 5G isn’t everywhere. Providers focus on the most profitable areas. GO Malta 5G: Best coverage in Sliema, St. Julian’s, Valletta, Airport Melita 5G: Focuses on Paceville, Spinola Bay, university area Epic Mobile: Uses GO’s network, same coverage Gozo has spotty 5G in Victoria and Xlendi, but don’t count on it. Most rural areas have excellent 4G+, plenty for remote work. 5G Speeds: My Real-World Tests I tested 5G at various locations—not just with speedtest apps, but real work scenarios: Location Download/Upload Ping Work Suitability Valletta Barrakka Gardens 180/45 Mbps 22ms Perfect for everything Sliema Promenade 220/38 Mbps 18ms 4K video calls no problem St. Julians Spinola 95/25 Mbps 35ms Good for standard remote work Mdina (4G+) 45/15 Mbps 28ms Fine for email and calls Mobile Internet Packages for Different Needs Workation packages (1-4 weeks): GO Tourist SIM: €35 for 30 days, unlimited 5G Melita Prepaid Plus: €25 for 30 days, 100GB 5G Epic Mobile Flex: €30 for 30 days, unlimited with Fair Use Policy Longer-term solutions: GO Unlimited: €25/month, true unlimited 5G Melita Mobile Pro: €35/month, unlimited + EU roaming Epic Business Mobile: €45/month, priority network access My tip: GO Unlimited is unbeatable for value. I use it as a backup to my fixed line and for mobile sessions. Home Office Malta: My Experience With the Digital Infrastructure Two years of remote work from Malta—time for an honest review. I lead a European tech team and rely on stable connections. Malta has been a pleasant surprise, but there were moments I nearly threw my laptop out the window. The Reality Check: What Works, What Doesn’t What works better than expected: Video calls with up to 15 people are no problem Cloud services (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) are well-connected Streaming runs smoothly alongside work calls VPNs are stable (important for corporate networks) Where Malta’s internet hits limits: Large file uploads (>5GB) take noticeably longer than in Germany Power cuts (2-3x a year) also take down the internet Some corporate VPNs don’t like Maltese IP ranges Peak hours (6-9pm) noticeably slow down speed Home Office Setup: My Recommendations After two years of trial and error, here’s my ideal Malta home office setup: Dual Internet: Fixed line as primary, 5G as backup. Together costs €65/month, but you’re never offline. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): €150 investment that pays for itself the first time the power cuts out during an important meeting. Mesh WiFi: Malta apartments often have thick stone walls. A solid mesh router (€120-200) is worth its weight in gold. Ethernet Backup: Wi-Fi is nice, cable is safer. Always keep an Ethernet cable on hand. Time Zone and International Collaboration Malta is in Central European Time (CET/CEST)—perfect for working with European teams. For international calls: Target Region Time Difference Best Time for Calls (Malta) Internet Quality Germany/Austria Same time zone 09:00-18:00 Perfect UK -1 hour 09:00-17:00 Very good US East Coast -6 hours 15:00-19:00 Good (higher latency) Asia (Singapore) +7 hours 08:00-10:00 Feasible Legal Aspects: EU Labor Law in Malta An often-overlooked point: Malta is in the EU, but remote work for a German or Austrian employer isn’t automatically legal. The key points: 183-Day Rule: More than 183 days in Malta = Maltese tax obligation A1 Certificate: You need this for temporary work from Malta Work Permit: EU citizens don’t need one, but your employer must be informed Social Security: Complicated—definitely consult a tax advisor Internet Costs Malta: Prices and Packages for Every Need Internet in Malta is more expensive than in Germany or Austria, but cheaper than Switzerland. Prices have stabilized over the last two years—competition between providers has benefited customers. Fixed Internet: Price Comparison 2025 Speed Epic Melita GO Germany Comparison 100 Mbps €29.99 €32.00 €32.50 €25-30 500 Mbps €39.99 €45.00 €47.50 €35-40 1000 Mbps €49.99 €55.00 €62.50 €45-55 All prices per month, with no minimum contract for EU citizens Mobile Internet: What Does 5G Really Cost? Mobile packages in Malta are relatively affordable. This is because the island is small and infrastructure costs per user are lower. Unlimited 5G (GO): €25/month – truly unlimited 100GB 5G (Melita): €20/month – plenty for standard remote work 50GB 4G+ (Epic): €15/month – budget option for occasional use Important: “Unlimited” in Malta really means unlimited. I used 450GB in one month (a lot of video streaming) and wasn’t throttled. Hidden Costs and Fees Here’s where it gets interesting—the advertised prices aren’t the whole story: Installation: €50-100 depending on provider and effort Router Rental: €5-8/month (or €120-200 to buy) Activation Fee: €25-35 (somewhat negotiable) Deposit: €100-200 for foreigners without Maltese credit history Reality check: Expect €80-120 one-off costs on top of the monthly fee. Malta Internet Bundles: Are Combo Packages Worth It? All providers push bundles of internet, TV, and phone. In my experience: Bundle Type Price Separate Savings Best For Internet + TV €55-70 €65-80 €10-15 TV users Internet + Mobile €45-60 €50-70 €5-10 Everyone Triple Play €70-90 €85-110 €15-20 Families My tip: Internet + Mobile bundles are almost always worth it. TV only if you want Maltese channels or you’re a sports fan. Saving Money: My Malta Internet Hacks Negotiate: Especially with Epic and GO, ask for discounts Timing: New provider promotions usually land in September/October Expat Communities: Facebook groups often share promo codes Annual Contracts: Save 2-3 months with upfront payment Your Own Router: Saves you €60-96 a year in rental fees Malta Internet Problems: What You Should Know Malta isn’t Germany. The internet generally works well, but there are a few quirks you should know before your first major client call. Power Cuts: The Underestimated Risk Malta has 2-4 planned power outages per year for maintenance. Unplanned cuts happen in storms. The problem: No power, no internet—including mobile, since not all cell towers have backup power. Frequency: 2-4 times a year, mostly 2-6 hours Notification: Planned outages announced by SMS 48h in advance Affected Areas: Usually regional, sometimes island-wide Backup Plan: Powerbank for 5G hotspot, UPS for router I never schedule important calls on Monday mornings or Friday afternoons—favorite maintenance times for the power company. Weather and Internet: The Malta Reality Heavy thunderstorms can disrupt your connection. That’s due to the island’s exposed location and all the overhead cables in older neighborhoods. Weather Impact Fixed Network Impact Mobile Frequency Normal rain None None Daily (winter) Heavy storms Occasional outages Reduced speed 5-10x a year Storm/Scirocco Possible outages Unstable connection 2-3x a year Extreme heat (45°C+) Device overheating Thermal throttling 3-5 days per summer Building-Specific Problems Malta’s architecture is beautiful, but not internet-friendly. Old limestone buildings, narrow alleys and high density can cause issues: Thick stone walls: Limits Wi-Fi range Basement apartments: Poor mobile reception Historic buildings: No permission for fiber installation Shared buildings: Landlord chooses the internet provider Always view apartments with a speed-test app. I’ve seen flats where 5G drops out entirely in the bedroom. Customer Service: Expectations vs. Reality Malta’s customer service isn’t like D-A-CH (Germany/Austria/Switzerland). Here’s what I’ve found: Epic: Fast, professional, English is no issue. Live chat works well. GO: Solid, but sometimes long wait times. German hotline available! Melita: Friendly, but often in Maltese/English only. Patience helps. Pro tip: Best to report technical problems via email. That way you have everything in writing, and things usually get sorted faster. The Biggest Internet Fails I’ve Had The Gozo Disconnect: Ferry to Gozo, crucial call in progress. Gozo has different mobile coverage. The Festa Blackout: Local festival with fireworks → power cut → offline during a deadline The Apartment Switch: New flat, old provider not available, 3 weeks with no fixed line The VPN Block: Corporate VPN flagged Malta IP as “suspicious” → 2 days troubleshooting I’ve learned from every fail. Now I always have a Plan B. Frequently Asked Questions About Internet in Malta How fast is the Internet in Malta really? The average fixed-line speed is 85 Mbps download. With fiber, you can get 100-1000 Mbps, depending on the package. 5G offers mobile speeds up to 300 Mbps in well-served areas such as Sliema and Valletta. Which is the best internet provider in Malta? Epic has the top fiber speeds and symmetrical upload rates. GO offers the best mobile coverage. Melita is cheapest for TV bundles. The best provider depends on your location and needs. How much does internet cost per month in Malta? Fixed internet is €30-50/month for 100-500 Mbps. Unlimited 5G starts at €25/month. Add a one-off €80-120 for installation and router. Is Malta’s internet good for remote work? Yes, Malta is great for remote work. Latency to European servers is 25-35ms. Video calls run smoothly and the time zone (CET) is perfect for working with European teams. Do I need a VPN in Malta? You don’t need a VPN, but it’s recommended for corporate networks or accessing geo-blocked content. Some German streaming services aren’t available in Malta. How is the 5G coverage in Malta? 5G coverage is good in the main tourist areas (Sliema, St. Julians, Valletta). In rural regions and on Gozo, 4G+ is standard and more than enough for remote work. Can I use my German internet contract in Malta? No, German internet contracts don’t work in Malta. You’ll need a local provider. EU roaming only applies to mobile data, and only for a limited time. How long does internet installation take in Malta? For existing fiber connections, 5-10 working days. If the building still needs a connection, allow 4-8 weeks. Wait times are longer during summer (June-September). What happens to the internet during power cuts? Power cuts also affect the internet, since routers and some cell towers lack backup power. A UPS (€150) for the router and a 5G hotspot with powerbank are good backup solutions. Does German online banking work from Malta? Yes, German online banking works from Malta. However, some banks block Maltese IP addresses for security. In that case, a VPN or calling your bank will help.
