The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) is considering new licensing schemes for radio frequencies used by commercial services in Malta, an exemption on ships' radio, aircraft radio and radio amateur licences, and a rationalisation of frequencies used by public services to avoid wastage of the limited spectrum available to Malta.
These proposals are presented in the MCA's strategic framework for the management of radio spectrum for 2007-2010, as a follow-up to the consultation paper entitled Policy Review and Strategic Framework of Radio Spectrum Management, published almost a year ago and the ensuing feedback received.
"The radio frequency spectrum is a vital and finite national resource of immense potential value for Malta," warns the authority's report. "The radio spectrum provides the means to convey audio, video or other information content over distances from a few metres to thousands of kilometres. It is essential for the provision of radio communication services, such as mobile communications and wireless reception of broadcast services. It is also fundamental to the safe operation of air and maritime transport, is used widely by the defence forces and emergency services and supports important scientific applications such as meteorology and radio astronomy."
The MCA said it intends to encourage the establishment of a date by when all current free-to-air TV broadcasts are also made available as digital transmissions; to protect analogue television broadcasting until the analogue turn-off-date established by Malta (December 31, 2010); to review spectrum options for Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and/or Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) based delivery of content to mobile platforms and hand-held devices to facilitate the deployment of mobile TV in Malta; and encourage the introduction of new cost-effective wireless technologies, e.g. based on the WiMAX standard.
The report makes it clear that the use of radio frequencies has to be carefully planned, authorised and controlled to ensure the provision of a sufficiently high standard of service, otherwise it can cause interference to other users.
"It is recognised that the frequencies used for public interest use should not be more than needed for the exercise of these tasks. The use of scarce frequencies for public interest purposes is at the expense of other possibilities of using the spectrum and this renders the remaining spectrum more scarce. The spectrum assigned for public interest tasks will not always be fully used all of the time. This means that third-party use could be possible."
Furthermore the authority will consider and consult on proposals to introduce a new national licensing scheme, which would permit the trading of licences or the leasing of licensed frequencies to other parties where not required by the licensee.
The MCA said it is currently reviewing the licence and fee structures pertaining to radio communications equipment in some cases an exemption will be granted. The process includes a review of the licence and fee structures for a broad range of radio communication services including: Fixed radio links, business radio, ships' radio, aircraft radio and radio amateur licences, and propose simple and transparent fees that will reduce bureaucracy and promote the optimal use of spectrum.
To streamline and simplify the licensing process for aeronautical and maritime-related radio communications equipment the administrative functions associated with the licensing of radio communications equipment used by merchant ships or other seagoing vessels have been delegated to the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA). The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) within the MCMP is responsible for the administrative functions associated with the licensing of certain radio communications equipment used by aeronautical users.
The authority believes the key market drivers that are likely to have an impact on future radio spectrum demand in Malta include the convergence, i.e. the deployment of multiple digital media such as broadcasting, electronic communications and information technology to deliver integrated multimedia content and services; the demand for wireless broadband services offering mobility; and demand for mobile multimedia content, particularly delivery of high volumes of audiovisual or other high bandwidth content which could create demand for further mobile spectrum or access to alternative delivery platforms such as broadcasting technologies.
"Malta's spectrum policy is, in principle, technology and service neutral and, as far as possible, leaves decisions on use of the spectrum to the market which is generally considered to be in a better position to make decisions on technical innovation. Some restrictions are inherent for the management of the spectrum, but both government and the MCA seek to apply technological neutrality as far as is practicable."
When considering the economic drivers, the report anticipates a drive in demand for new services and content (e.g. mobile and broadband services) following the boom in mobile communications in recent years. Employment patterns will also have a bearing, for example increased working from home (as result of increasing levels of traffic congestion and further implementation of family-friendly work methods) could drive demand for broadband connections.
Over the last two years the MCA has been very busy assigning radio frequencies for new services. It awarded a license for digital terrestrial audio broadcasting (T-DAB), three licenses for 3G mobile communications, three licences for broadband wireless access (BWA, or WiMax), and two digital terrestrial TV (DTTV) licences, although there is only one DTTV operator after Maltacom took over Multiplus earlier this year. All licensees, with the exception of the T-DAB operator, one 3G operator and two BWA operators, have already launched commercially.
The limits of radio spectrum assigned to Malta has been a continuous headache for the Maltese authorities. Maltacom/Go experienced interference on the frequencies assigned by the MCA to provide DTTV. Indeed Go's takeover of Multiplus was more of a technical decision, to get the 'clean' frequencies assigned to Multiplus, rather than a commercial decision to eliminate the direct competitor.
As reported by i-Tech last month, should spectrum be required for the launch of HD (high-definition) channels in Malta then there has to be a specific radio frequency assignment process. This would require extra UHF (TV band) spectrum to be available. An MCA spokesman made it clear this extra spectrum is not available and negotiations have been underway to remedy the situation.
While Melita Cable is already undergoing HD trials, Go is expected to follow suit in the near future, also thanks to a major upgrade of its DTTV infrastructure this summer.
These proposals are presented in the MCA's strategic framework for the management of radio spectrum for 2007-2010, as a follow-up to the consultation paper entitled Policy Review and Strategic Framework of Radio Spectrum Management, published almost a year ago and the ensuing feedback received.
"The radio frequency spectrum is a vital and finite national resource of immense potential value for Malta," warns the authority's report. "The radio spectrum provides the means to convey audio, video or other information content over distances from a few metres to thousands of kilometres. It is essential for the provision of radio communication services, such as mobile communications and wireless reception of broadcast services. It is also fundamental to the safe operation of air and maritime transport, is used widely by the defence forces and emergency services and supports important scientific applications such as meteorology and radio astronomy."
The MCA said it intends to encourage the establishment of a date by when all current free-to-air TV broadcasts are also made available as digital transmissions; to protect analogue television broadcasting until the analogue turn-off-date established by Malta (December 31, 2010); to review spectrum options for Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and/or Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) based delivery of content to mobile platforms and hand-held devices to facilitate the deployment of mobile TV in Malta; and encourage the introduction of new cost-effective wireless technologies, e.g. based on the WiMAX standard.
The report makes it clear that the use of radio frequencies has to be carefully planned, authorised and controlled to ensure the provision of a sufficiently high standard of service, otherwise it can cause interference to other users.
"It is recognised that the frequencies used for public interest use should not be more than needed for the exercise of these tasks. The use of scarce frequencies for public interest purposes is at the expense of other possibilities of using the spectrum and this renders the remaining spectrum more scarce. The spectrum assigned for public interest tasks will not always be fully used all of the time. This means that third-party use could be possible."
Furthermore the authority will consider and consult on proposals to introduce a new national licensing scheme, which would permit the trading of licences or the leasing of licensed frequencies to other parties where not required by the licensee.
The MCA said it is currently reviewing the licence and fee structures pertaining to radio communications equipment in some cases an exemption will be granted. The process includes a review of the licence and fee structures for a broad range of radio communication services including: Fixed radio links, business radio, ships' radio, aircraft radio and radio amateur licences, and propose simple and transparent fees that will reduce bureaucracy and promote the optimal use of spectrum.
To streamline and simplify the licensing process for aeronautical and maritime-related radio communications equipment the administrative functions associated with the licensing of radio communications equipment used by merchant ships or other seagoing vessels have been delegated to the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA). The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) within the MCMP is responsible for the administrative functions associated with the licensing of certain radio communications equipment used by aeronautical users.
The authority believes the key market drivers that are likely to have an impact on future radio spectrum demand in Malta include the convergence, i.e. the deployment of multiple digital media such as broadcasting, electronic communications and information technology to deliver integrated multimedia content and services; the demand for wireless broadband services offering mobility; and demand for mobile multimedia content, particularly delivery of high volumes of audiovisual or other high bandwidth content which could create demand for further mobile spectrum or access to alternative delivery platforms such as broadcasting technologies.
"Malta's spectrum policy is, in principle, technology and service neutral and, as far as possible, leaves decisions on use of the spectrum to the market which is generally considered to be in a better position to make decisions on technical innovation. Some restrictions are inherent for the management of the spectrum, but both government and the MCA seek to apply technological neutrality as far as is practicable."
When considering the economic drivers, the report anticipates a drive in demand for new services and content (e.g. mobile and broadband services) following the boom in mobile communications in recent years. Employment patterns will also have a bearing, for example increased working from home (as result of increasing levels of traffic congestion and further implementation of family-friendly work methods) could drive demand for broadband connections.
Over the last two years the MCA has been very busy assigning radio frequencies for new services. It awarded a license for digital terrestrial audio broadcasting (T-DAB), three licenses for 3G mobile communications, three licences for broadband wireless access (BWA, or WiMax), and two digital terrestrial TV (DTTV) licences, although there is only one DTTV operator after Maltacom took over Multiplus earlier this year. All licensees, with the exception of the T-DAB operator, one 3G operator and two BWA operators, have already launched commercially.
The limits of radio spectrum assigned to Malta has been a continuous headache for the Maltese authorities. Maltacom/Go experienced interference on the frequencies assigned by the MCA to provide DTTV. Indeed Go's takeover of Multiplus was more of a technical decision, to get the 'clean' frequencies assigned to Multiplus, rather than a commercial decision to eliminate the direct competitor.
As reported by i-Tech last month, should spectrum be required for the launch of HD (high-definition) channels in Malta then there has to be a specific radio frequency assignment process. This would require extra UHF (TV band) spectrum to be available. An MCA spokesman made it clear this extra spectrum is not available and negotiations have been underway to remedy the situation.
While Melita Cable is already undergoing HD trials, Go is expected to follow suit in the near future, also thanks to a major upgrade of its DTTV infrastructure this summer.