The infrastructure underpinning Malta’s most advanced industries
Two of Malta’s most significant drivers of growth in the 21st century, together contributing nearly a fifth of GDP, are gaming and financial services. The fact that these two industries were able to develop and succeed, reliant as they are on fast and stable network connections, highlights the quality of the country’s communications infrastructure, which compares favourably with that of most major European cities.
In fact, Malta is the only EU member state with full coverage of ultrafast fixed internet, while the three mobile operators in the liberalised market provide coverage extending to every corner of the country.
The European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) ranks Malta fifth among EU member states, with the country performing above the EU average in all five dimensions of the index.
The success of Malta’s IT infrastructure in supporting sectors such as software and game development, gaming and financial services, has spurred further investment, with the country now positioning itself to venture into future tech like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Malta is connected to the internet via several cable links to Sicily, while Gozo, which has its own digital development agenda, is connected to the main island through two fibre optic cables. The second cable, opened in late 2020, aims to attract tech investment to Gozo.
