Telecoms authority proposes rules to ensure Malta stays linked

The Malta Communications Authority yesterday issued draft regulations aimed at making sure that international connectivity is maintained at all times.

The draft regulations, issued as a consultation document, come in the wake of the disruption caused when a cable linking Malta to Sicily failed on August 6, leaving thousands of Go clients without an internet connection for several hours.

Under the regulations, operators of international connections would be required to ensure the integrity, security and resiliency of their international connection, and to secure reserve capacity on alternative networks.

International gateway operators would have to negotiate with other operators in order to obtain the capacity to meet these obligations.

The MCA would also like to have the power to issue guidelines to operators on the measures necessary to make sure their international link continues to operate.

The authority also said it is important for operators to have a contingency plan - and the MCA should be able to impose such a plan. The plan would identify the critical assets upon which continuity of operation was dependent, the risks to these assets, the potential impact of incidents and the identification of counter-measures and procedures.

The MCA said it should also be empowered to require independent audits of measures put in place to secure the continuity of international connectivity.

It wants to be alerted of any incidents that take place and would then have to be provided with information on developments so that it could facilitate the earliest possible restoration of normal operations.

It would also have the right to ask for the relevant information from operators to enable it to investigate incidents. Since such information could be commercially sensitive, the authority is proposing that it should be required to ensure confidentiality.

However, it could request the publication of such information to ensure that subscribers and users make informed choices regarding the provision of international services.

Comments on these proposals may be sent to the MCA, Valletta Waterfront, Pinto Wharf, Floriana, FRN 1913 or e-mailed to info@mca.org.mt by September 9.