XPhone offers blockchain mode — based on XPOS — which runs aside the default Android operating system it ships with. Function X is the blockchain ecosystem behind the newly-developed XPhone. The manufacturer tags it as a next-generation internet service framework that builds on the existing internet and blockchain architecture using the most commonly-used technical solutions.

As opposed to “traditional phones” that require a centralised mobile carrier, XPhone runs independently without the need for such, Pundi X writes in a blog post published on their official Medium page in October 2018.

“We have developed our own chain which we believe will answer many of the challenges facing the many blockchain platforms today by increasing its scale, ability to publish DApps and achieve true decentralisation. It will also revolutionise the way we transmit data of all kinds: giving rise to a truly decentralised internet,” the blog post says.

FX is the native currency of the Function X blockchain and ecosystem. All services rendered in the ecosystem will be processed, transacted with, or fueled by FX, according to the plans of developers. This includes storage services and network resources on Function X which will utilise FX as the “fuel” for execution and validation of transactions, the press statement explains the underlying operations of the ecosystem.

The trading platform operates within the regulatory framework established by the European Union and Maltese government, including the Malta Virtual Financial Assets Act. The company announced the intention to apply to the Malta Financial Services Authority to become a regulated Virtual Financial Asset exchange.

In the future, Function X is scheduled to take over the role of Pundi X as a leading developer of blockchain-powered devices.

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The total number of mobile subscriptions have been on a gradual rise in the past four years, MCA figures reveal. At the end of 2014, the figure reached 546,229 and rose to 557,583 in 2015 and 585,470 in 2016.

While the number of prepaid schemes for mobile connectivity appeared to steadily fluctuate between approximately 380,000 and 401,000 in the past four years, post-paid plans were on a gradual rise from 166,150 at the end of 2014 to 224,346 at the end of 2018.

Although mobile subscriptions outpaced fixed telephone services, still the figure for landline was on a steady rise. At the end of 2014 fixed telephone subscription were 230,361 and climbed up to 255,437 by the end of 2018.

Television subscriptions on total — including analogue, digital and IPTV services — also grew gradually from 147,880 at the end of 2014 to 165,289 at the end of 2018.

However, in another report earlier the MCA said that both fixed telephone and television subscriptions recently had been on the rise due to bundle packages, when landline internet connectivity comes with a fixed phone line and television package.

Average revenue per user (ARPU) boosted from €56.21 from the end of 2017 to €59.09 by the end of 2018 for fixed broadband. For mobile phones, ARPU jumped from €43.24 to €45.44 in the same period. Despite a visible downfall around the middle of 2018, ARPU for television went from €44.27 from the end of 2017 to €45.23 at the end of 2018. Fixed telephone line ARPU, however, was on a decline for the past four years, dropping from €33.41 at the end of 2017 to €32.60 at the end of 2018.

The MCA published the figures in its updated series of Data Report Sheet (DRS) publications with a report. The purpose of MCA’s publication is to inform the general public about the main trends and development in Malta related to electronic communications and postal services.

Further figures and visual representation of data is published in the MCA’s slideshow, available for public view at the authority’s website.

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