Call for applications on wireless technologies

The Malta Communications Authority will in the next few days issue calls for applications that will lead to the assignment of rights of use of spectrum for new wireless technologies.

The MCA yesterday said the government has now defined its policy direction on wireless technologies such as third generation mobile telephony, broadband wireless access and digital terrestrial television and radio.

This follows an extensive consultation process initiated last year.

The authority published a comprehensive document giving details of the policy relating to each technology, the strategy to be employed in each case as well as the operational processes and timelines involved. The MCA also published reports on the consultation carried out for each of the three policy areas.

Following an assessment of demand for the frequencies available for use by each technology, should a competitive process be required, this will take place in a comparative manner via so-called beauty contests. In all cases, the spectrum assignment processes should be completed by the middle of this year.

The document is available to download from the MCA website at http://www.mca.org.mt. A special section has been set up within the website in order to provide all the requisite information related to these key spectrum assignment processes.