Malta has three main telecommunications providers — GO, Melita, and Epic — competing in a small but genuinely competitive market. The result is reasonable prices, fast speeds, and fairly good coverage. Home broadband averages 100–500Mbps on standard packages, and 5G is rolling out across the main urban areas. This guide covers everything an expat or newcomer needs to set up home internet and a mobile SIM, including the contract flexibility issue that affects most short-to-medium-term residents.
Quick recommendation: For home broadband: Epic Home 250 (€30/month, 250Mbps) for best value; GO Fiber 250 (€38/month) for maximum reliability. For mobile SIM: Epic (best value plans, 30GB for €15–25/month); GO (best rural coverage). Get an Epic SIM at the airport kiosk on arrival — it's the easiest first-day setup.
Provider Comparison
| Provider | Technology | Best For | Home Internet From | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO Malta | FTTH (true fibre) | Reliability, rural coverage, upload speed | ~€35/month | 24 months (typically) |
| Melita | DOCSIS cable ("fibre-powered") | TV bundles, value packages, 50,000 hotspots | ~€20–€30/month | 24 months; 30-day trial |
| Epic | Cable/5G home internet | Best value, flexible 1-year contracts, expat-friendly | ~€30/month | 12 months; 30-day trial |
GO Malta: The Reliable Incumbent
GO (formerly Maltacom) owns most of Malta's fibre infrastructure. FTTH (Fibre to the Home) delivers true symmetrical speeds — important for content creators and heavy uploaders who need fast upload as well as download. GO is the safe choice if reliability is your priority. Coverage is near-universal. Customer service is better than Malta's telecoms reputation might suggest. The main downside: 24-month contracts are standard, which is difficult for expats planning 1–2 year stays. GO does offer eSIM activation via their app — useful for travellers arriving without a physical SIM.
Melita: Best for Bundles
Melita has the largest retail and subscriber footprint in Malta (~300,000 subscribers, ~30 stores). Their cable (DOCSIS 3.1) network delivers fast downloads (up to 2.5Gbps on premium plans) but notably lower upload speeds than GO fibre — relevant if you regularly upload large files or livestream. Melita's advantage is bundle pricing: their TV + internet + mobile "Unlimited" packages often undercut competitors on total monthly cost. They also operate 50,000+ WiFi hotspots across Malta for subscribers. Installation typically within 2 business days.
Epic: Best for Expats and Value
Epic (formerly Vodafone Malta, acquired and rebranded in 2021) positioned itself as the market disruptor. Key advantages for expats: 1-year contract option (vs 24 months at GO/Melita), 30-day risk-free trial, an airport SIM kiosk open 09:00–21:00 (right-hand side of arrivals, past customs), and consistently the lowest mobile data prices on the island. Epic 30 at €15/month gives 30GB of data and unlimited calls — the best value mobile plan available in Malta. Epic was named Malta's Fastest Mobile Network by Ookla speed testing. For digital nomads and freelancers who need a quick, flexible setup: Epic is the first stop.
Mobile SIM: What to Buy on Arrival
Buy an Epic SIM at the airport kiosk (arrivals hall, past customs exit, open daily 09:00–21:00). Epic's prepaid plans: €9.99 for 8GB (4 weeks), €15 for 30GB with unlimited calls (Epic 30, best value). All SIM purchases require passport registration — bring your passport. eSIMs available from GO (via app), Melita (via app or store), and Epic (store only). Malta's SIM registration is quick and straightforward. 5G coverage is live in Sliema, St Julian's, Valletta, and expanding. 4G covers the entire island including Gozo.
The Contract Problem for Expats
Standard home broadband contracts in Malta are 24 months. If you are staying 12–18 months, this creates a dilemma: sign a 24-month contract and pay early exit fees, or pay monthly rates (significantly higher). Solutions: negotiate a 12-month contract in-store (Epic is most flexible here), look for rentals with internet included (common in furnished short-term properties), or use Epic's Instant Wi-Fi 5G home router as a flexible bridge while deciding on a long-term setup. Transferring a contract to an incoming tenant when you leave Malta is increasingly common.
