Melita has launched a new 250 megabit/second internet service - the fastest velocity in Malta.

That is more than double the former top velocity service of 100 megabits/second.

The new speed is available from today at Tigne' Point and Fort Cambridge and will be gradually rolled out to other areas in the coming weeks.

CEO Andrei Torriani said the need for this speed was felt in view of an increase in demand for bandwidth and fast data transfer. Many services were moving online, such as media, security services and consumer and business interactions, Mr Torriani said.

There was also strong demand from the on-line gaming sector.

He said that in 75% of Maltese households, there was at least one person using Melita services. Since 2007, Melita had invested €75m in various projects and it planned to invest €60 million more to strengthen its infrastructure. The company employs 450.

The launch was made during a tour of the Melita offices by Edward Zammit Lewis, Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness. He said developments such as this enabled Malta to achieve its European Digital Agenda targets, which include better access and better products at the lowest possible prices.