Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543552
6 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 MARCH 2026 SOFTSWISS appoints new CTO to drive 2026 technology strategy and strengthen its Malta presence SOFTSWISS, a global technol- ogy provider of software solu- tions for the iGaming industry, headquartered in Malta, has ap- pointed Sergey Kastukevich as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in line with its 2026 technology and product strategy. The ap- pointment further reinforces Malta's role as a key hub within SOFTSWISS' global technology leadership and innovation eco- system. The appointment reflects SOFTSWISS' focus on long- term tech stability, scalability, and disciplined engineering exe- cution as the company advances its next phase of growth, with Malta continuing to play an im- portant role in supporting the company's technology, regulato- ry, and operational functions. Kastukevich has served as Dep- uty Chief Technology Officer at SOFTSWISS for over five years, playing a central role in shaping the company's technology foun- dations across its internation- al operations, including teams and functions based in Malta. In 2025, he was named CTO of the Year in EMEA at the 2025 Ora- cle Excellence Awards, recognis- ing his contribution to technol- ogy leadership and engineering excellence. Under his leadership, SOFTSWISS developed highly reliable, scalable solutions for complex, high-load, and highly regulated environments, sup- porting operators licensed in leading jurisdictions such as Malta. As CTO, Kastukevich will be responsible for defining and ex- ecuting SOFTSWISS' technol- ogy roadmap, overseeing soft- ware architecture, infrastructure strategy, security and reliability standards, and engineering pro- ductivity across teams. A key priority of his role will be ensur- ing technical excellence in how SOFTSWISS builds and scales its products, further strength- ening the company's ability to deliver robust and compliant solutions from its Malta and in- ternational offices. SOFTSWISS places strong emphasis on engineering cul- ture and continuous knowledge exchange. In 2025, under Kas- tukevich's technical leadership, the company hosted several in- ternal and external technology initiatives, including an inter- nal technology conference that brought together more than 100 engineers and developers work- ing on SOFTSWISS products, as well as industry-facing events designed to foster collaboration and innovation within the wid- er tech community, including engagement with professionals working across key iGaming and technology centres such as Mal- ta. Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, commented: "Sergey has consistently demon- strated the kind of leadership that is critical for a technolo- gy-driven business – strong en- gineering judgement, long-term thinking, and the ability to build systems that perform under pressure. His promotion to CTO aligns with our strategy for 2026, where platform stability, scala- bility, and technological disci- pline are key pillars of sustaina- ble growth." Sergey Kastukevich, Chief Technology Officer at SOFTS- WISS, added: "In this role, my focus will remain on strength- ening the technical foundations that enable rapid, secure, and high-quality delivery while al- so driving innovation across everything we do. At SOFTS- WISS, technology leadership means not only ensuring reliabil- ity and scalability, but also shap- ing a culture where engineers can create forward-looking solu- tions and continuously evolve our products. I am committed to further strengthening SOFTS- WISS as a trusted technology company that sets new stand- ards for the iGaming industry." As part of its new technology and product strategy, SOFTS- WISS recently announced the creation of a Chief Artificial In- telligence Officer role to formal- ise AI as an integral part of busi- ness infrastructure. Together, these leadership appointments underline the company's com- mitment to strengthening both software engineering and enter- prise AI capabilities as part of its long-term strategy, with Malta continuing to serve as an impor- tant operational base supporting the company's global growth and innovation objectives. MCA 2025 Perception Survey on how consumers perceive bundle offerings THE Malta Communications Authority (MCA) today pub- lished the results of its latest survey examining the expe- riences of households sub- scribed to multiple telecom services under fixed term con- tracts, also referred to as bun- dled offers. The results provide insight into current subscrip- tion patterns, spending levels, satisfaction rates, switching behaviour, and awareness of contractual rights among Mal- tese households. Telecom services are com- monly obtained in a bundle. Half of respondents (51%) bun- dle some or all of their telecom services, while 31% partially bundle their services, most commonly keeping mobile te- lephony as a standalone ser- vice. Bundling of telecom ser- vices is generally preferred for affordability and convenience. Operator discounts drive 48% of households to obtain a bun- dle (61% in 2023), while single bills (37%) and fixed monthly c o s t s (31%) al- so appeal to subscribers, both up from 35% and 15% in 2023 respectively. Fixed internet is the top service prompting bundle purchases, cited by 82% of respondents (55% in 2023). Mobile telephony ranks sec- ond at 12% (down from 16% in 2023), followed by TV at 6% (21% in 2023) and fixed telephony at 1% (8% in 2023). 64% of households spend be- tween €30 to €69.99 per month on the bundle subscription (63% in 2023). High satisfac- tion prevails for service qual- ity (72%), bundle product mix (69%), and value for money (52%). Switching bundled ser- vices remains low at 7% (6% in 2023). Of households reporting switching, 64% faced no diffi- culties when carrying out the change (up from 57%). Consumer awareness of con- tract terms has increased. Awareness of early termina- tion fees rose from 15% to 24%, while knowledge of the right to exit a bundle without incurring fees if an operator changes the contract terms increased from 37% in 2023 to 55% in 2025. Overall, this survey highlights sustained consumer preference for bundled telecom services, driven primarily by affordabil- ity and convenience, alongside growing awareness of contrac- tual rights. These findings will support MCA's ongoing regu- latory oversight and strengthen consumer protection efforts within Malta's evolving com- munications market. Bundling is the Dominant Consumer Preference Switching Behaviour Monthly Spending Services Driving Bundle Purchases How Households Subscribe Why Consumers Choose Bundles Satisfaction Levels 51% 31% 18% 2025 2023 Fixed Internet Mobile Telephony TV Fixed Telephony 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 82% 55% 12% 16% 6% 21% 1% 8% Awareness of Rights of respondents are aware of early termination fees, up from 15% in 2023. Operator Discounts 48% 51% bundle some or all telecom services, while 31% partially bundle services. Most commonly keep mobile telephony standalone. MCA Perception Survey 2025 Highlights: Bundle Offerings Only 7% of customers with bundles switched operators in 2025, with 64% facing no difficulties, up from 57% in 2023. Affordability and convenience keep bundled telecom services preferred over standalone options. Spending levels and switching rates are stable, satisfaction is high, and awareness of contractual rights continues to improve. Single Bill 37% Fixed Monthly Cost 31% spend between €30 and €69.99 per month. 64% Fixed internet remains the main driver for bundling decisions, with a sharp drop in TV and fixed telephony. Service Quality 72% Bundle Product Mix 69% Value for Money 52% of respondents know their rights to exit the bundle if the terms change, up from 37% in 2023. 24% 55%