Besides building on the excellent work carried out so far, the new executive chairman of the Malta Communications Authority (MCA), Ing Philip Micallef, wants to facilitate the transformation of Malta into a test bed for new technologies and a hub for ICT companies to do business from Malta. In the meantime, however, nobody should be left behind as a result of the digital divide and the digital economy must be sustained and promoted further.
Mr Micallef was appointed to the post by Minister Austin Gatt, taking over from Joseph V. Tabone who had steered the authority since its creation. He is joined by a new board of directors, resulting in a clean cut from the past when the MCA was the responsibility of a different ministry.
"First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joseph V. Tabone for his sterling work in setting up the Malta Communications Authority and leading it to where it is today. My intention is to build on the excellent work carried out so far.
"Besides continuing to ensure a level playing field in the market I also intend to facilitate investment in this sector by continuing to create the right environment and attracting to our shores international telecommunication companies who want to carry out their business and/or operations from Malta; ensure nobody is left behind in this digital world we live in and that all have the opportunity to make good use of the technology; and continue creating the framework and taking initiatives to promote the digital economy which is basically made up of good linkages and relationships between the economy, enterprise and technology. With digital technology telecommunications, cable TV, broadcasting and computers have merged into a single industry which has become a critical element of our economy."
Ing. Micallef previously held the post of chief executive officer at Malta Enterprise and lately as chief executive officer of Melita Cable, one of the major communications companies in the country.
"I think that having worked on the other side of the fence, both locally and abroad, gives me a distinct advantage as I can better understand both the challenges and problems being faced by market players."
His experience at Malta Enterprise seems to inspire him into looking at the possibility of Malta being a hub for international ICT companies.
"I think that with Malta having the proper legal framework, an advanced and resilient infrastructure, and attractive prices for communications services, it can attract more ICT companies to Malta. We can attract telecom companies that want to use Malta as a hub, headquarters or base and are not interested in our internal market but realise the potential of Malta as a place from where to carry out international business. This would greatly benefit the local telecoms industry as well as the economy as a whole."
Asked about the major issues that have to be addressed by the MCA the short, medium and long term, Mr Micallef mentioned the revision of the legal framework, ensuring social inclusion in the digital world, embracing e-commerce and e-security to help the digital economy flourish, promoting the role of the MCA as a catalyst in ensuring that Malta continues to be the "smart island" and thus give full support to SmartCity Malta, and well-prepare for the liberalisation of the postal sector in Malta due to take place sometime between 2011 and 2013.
Indeed the new executive chairman of the MCA thinks technology in the postal services has to be seen as an opportunity and not as a threat.
"In terms of the impact on postal volumes brought about by e-mail, these certainly have led to a decrease in the volume of standard mail, however, e-commerce has greatly boosted parcel post, so the technological changes have their upsides to the postal industry as well." In the coming months the small Maltese communication market will be served by the third 3G mobile operator, two new broadband wireless access operators based on the WiMAX technology and a few mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
Ing. Micallef thinks that "Despite the high penetration, mobile voice usage is still relatively low compared to other EU countries. I do not dispute the fact that the Maltese market is not a large one, yet more players will benefit the consumer and will make the operators more efficient and customer oriented."
Despite the rise in consumption of communication services, Maltese consumers continue to lodge a relatively large number of complaints with the MCA.
"The authority so far has very limited executive powers in this area and in most cases it can only dialogue and try to persuade the service providers to remedy certain situations," lamented the executive chairman. "I think the Maltese consumer is becoming more knowledgeable and rightly so expects value for money. The Maltese telecoms market is a very price-sensitive one. However, the Authority carries out on-going reviews of services, terms and conditions, complaints and quality of service being offered."
Asked about the roles of the MCA and Malta Broadcasting Authority in the digital world, Ing. Micallef did not want to commit himself.
"This is quite a complex matter as the Malta Broadcasting Authority is enshrined in the Constitution of Malta. There are models such as the UK Ofcom, where these two responsibilities have been merged.
As technology progresses telecommunications, cable TV, broadcasting and computers have become one industry and operators are also bundling services together. It is too early for me to pass judgment on this but, I firmly believe, that whether merged or separate the two entities have to work closely together as one team and ensure a one-stop coordinated approach is taken."
Ing. Micallef revealed the authority is looking into next generation networks and the whole subject of fibre to the home (FTTH) will be looked at in detail. He intends to create a small research team looking at new technologies and most importantly their relevance to Malta and how these technologies can generate wealth and improve the quality of life.
The MCA is right now working on possibly releasing additional spectrum to allow new and innovative broadband wireless services to develop, which is critical in enabling the development of platforms for the next generation of converged services.
"I believe Malta has the potential of being used as a technology test bed and we need to explore what is really needed to make this a reality and facilitate this from a legal, regulatory, administrative and practical point of view. The trend in new technology is away from regulation to enable market forces to be more competitive but clear rules add to consumer confidence and help establish a level playing field for all involved: Operators and consumers," concluded Ing Micallef.
Mr Micallef was appointed to the post by Minister Austin Gatt, taking over from Joseph V. Tabone who had steered the authority since its creation. He is joined by a new board of directors, resulting in a clean cut from the past when the MCA was the responsibility of a different ministry.
"First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joseph V. Tabone for his sterling work in setting up the Malta Communications Authority and leading it to where it is today. My intention is to build on the excellent work carried out so far.
"Besides continuing to ensure a level playing field in the market I also intend to facilitate investment in this sector by continuing to create the right environment and attracting to our shores international telecommunication companies who want to carry out their business and/or operations from Malta; ensure nobody is left behind in this digital world we live in and that all have the opportunity to make good use of the technology; and continue creating the framework and taking initiatives to promote the digital economy which is basically made up of good linkages and relationships between the economy, enterprise and technology. With digital technology telecommunications, cable TV, broadcasting and computers have merged into a single industry which has become a critical element of our economy."
Ing. Micallef previously held the post of chief executive officer at Malta Enterprise and lately as chief executive officer of Melita Cable, one of the major communications companies in the country.
"I think that having worked on the other side of the fence, both locally and abroad, gives me a distinct advantage as I can better understand both the challenges and problems being faced by market players."
His experience at Malta Enterprise seems to inspire him into looking at the possibility of Malta being a hub for international ICT companies.
"I think that with Malta having the proper legal framework, an advanced and resilient infrastructure, and attractive prices for communications services, it can attract more ICT companies to Malta. We can attract telecom companies that want to use Malta as a hub, headquarters or base and are not interested in our internal market but realise the potential of Malta as a place from where to carry out international business. This would greatly benefit the local telecoms industry as well as the economy as a whole."
Asked about the major issues that have to be addressed by the MCA the short, medium and long term, Mr Micallef mentioned the revision of the legal framework, ensuring social inclusion in the digital world, embracing e-commerce and e-security to help the digital economy flourish, promoting the role of the MCA as a catalyst in ensuring that Malta continues to be the "smart island" and thus give full support to SmartCity Malta, and well-prepare for the liberalisation of the postal sector in Malta due to take place sometime between 2011 and 2013.
Indeed the new executive chairman of the MCA thinks technology in the postal services has to be seen as an opportunity and not as a threat.
"In terms of the impact on postal volumes brought about by e-mail, these certainly have led to a decrease in the volume of standard mail, however, e-commerce has greatly boosted parcel post, so the technological changes have their upsides to the postal industry as well." In the coming months the small Maltese communication market will be served by the third 3G mobile operator, two new broadband wireless access operators based on the WiMAX technology and a few mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
Ing. Micallef thinks that "Despite the high penetration, mobile voice usage is still relatively low compared to other EU countries. I do not dispute the fact that the Maltese market is not a large one, yet more players will benefit the consumer and will make the operators more efficient and customer oriented."
Despite the rise in consumption of communication services, Maltese consumers continue to lodge a relatively large number of complaints with the MCA.
"The authority so far has very limited executive powers in this area and in most cases it can only dialogue and try to persuade the service providers to remedy certain situations," lamented the executive chairman. "I think the Maltese consumer is becoming more knowledgeable and rightly so expects value for money. The Maltese telecoms market is a very price-sensitive one. However, the Authority carries out on-going reviews of services, terms and conditions, complaints and quality of service being offered."
Asked about the roles of the MCA and Malta Broadcasting Authority in the digital world, Ing. Micallef did not want to commit himself.
"This is quite a complex matter as the Malta Broadcasting Authority is enshrined in the Constitution of Malta. There are models such as the UK Ofcom, where these two responsibilities have been merged.
As technology progresses telecommunications, cable TV, broadcasting and computers have become one industry and operators are also bundling services together. It is too early for me to pass judgment on this but, I firmly believe, that whether merged or separate the two entities have to work closely together as one team and ensure a one-stop coordinated approach is taken."
Ing. Micallef revealed the authority is looking into next generation networks and the whole subject of fibre to the home (FTTH) will be looked at in detail. He intends to create a small research team looking at new technologies and most importantly their relevance to Malta and how these technologies can generate wealth and improve the quality of life.
The MCA is right now working on possibly releasing additional spectrum to allow new and innovative broadband wireless services to develop, which is critical in enabling the development of platforms for the next generation of converged services.
"I believe Malta has the potential of being used as a technology test bed and we need to explore what is really needed to make this a reality and facilitate this from a legal, regulatory, administrative and practical point of view. The trend in new technology is away from regulation to enable market forces to be more competitive but clear rules add to consumer confidence and help establish a level playing field for all involved: Operators and consumers," concluded Ing Micallef.