Alex Agius Saliba Warns We Could Face Higher Mobile & Internet Prices Under New EU Rules

Alex Agius Saliba has tabled 342 amendments to a proposed EU law, warning that the current plans could weaken consumer protections and eventually lead to higher mobile and internet prices.

As the Socialists & Democrats negotiator in the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee, Agius Saliba is seeking major changes to the proposed Digital Networks Act.

According to him, the European Commission's proposal would reduce the powers of independent national telecoms regulators that currently oversee the market and protect competition. He argues that weakening these authorities could give telecom companies more room to limit competition, affecting service quality, consumer rights and the prices customers pay.

"Many of the complaints I receive from Maltese citizens are linked to how they are treated by telecommunications companies," Agius Saliba said. He added that while Malta currently benefits from competition between three operators, alongside European rules that protect consumers, the proposed legislation risks weakening those safeguards.

His amendments also aim to strengthen consumer protection, extend certain rights to small businesses, improve accessibility for people with disabilities, and place greater emphasis on emergency telephone services within EU legislation.

Agius Saliba also criticised proposals that would give the European Commission greater influence over telecom mergers. He warned that allowing large mergers could leave the European market dominated by only a handful of major operators.

He argued that this could result in greater market concentration in Malta, giving telecom companies more power while reducing consumer choice, worsening services and driving up prices.

"I believe in a competitive and well-regulated market," he said, insisting that independent telecommunications authorities remain essential to protecting consumers.

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