Melita launches cable link to mainland
The government has asked the EU to grant Malta a derogation that would allow it to provide businesses with subsidies and incentives, normally forbidden under EU state subsidy regulations, aimed at encouraging more private investment in the laying of...
The government has asked the EU to grant Malta a derogation that would allow it to provide businesses with subsidies and incentives, normally forbidden under EU state subsidy regulations, aimed at encouraging more private investment in the laying of connectivity cables.
Speaking at Melita's launch of a project to lay a state-of-the-art submarine fibre optic cable to mainland Europe, Communications and Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said the derogation was requested six months ago. The government felt it necessary as the Maltese economy was not large enough for private investment alone to strengthen the communications infrastructure.
He was non-committal, however, when asked if he believed such a derogation was achievable. "It would be a first," he said.
Considering Malta's fringe position on the European connectivity framework, and the degree to which the Maltese economy depends on such connectivity to function and grow, Malta and other island countries in similar situations should be granted such a derogation, he argued.
Speaking of Melita's plan to lay what will be Malta's fourth submarine fibre optic cable, he said that it will undoubtedly strengthen the island's international connectivity, enabling it to deal with any eventuality. "This is an important step which brings us closer to reaching Malta's goal of having five international connections by 2010," Dr Gatt said. Malta has two submarine cables linked to Sicily, owned by telecoms companies Vodafone and Go respectively. Go are planning a second link which they expect will be completed by the end of this year, which would make Melita's the fourth to go on stream.
Malta's economy depends on such submarine lifelines which ensure Malta's international connectivity, Dr Gatt said. He added that it was for this reason that his ministry is in favour of working closely with service providers to increase connectivity with the outside world.
"Providing a broader choice in international connectivity remains a priority for the government, to ensure that commercial and domestic users have a broad selection of quality services and, more importantly, continuous service in the event of an interruption in Malta's international connectivity."
Dr Gatt said that the Malta Communications Authority was carrying out a consultation process to find ways to ensure continuity of the service with the cooperation of all service providers.
Last month a cable fault experienced by Go left thousands of users and businesses alike cut off from the world wide web for the better part of a day.
Continuity of service was particularly necessary, Dr Gatt said, in the light of Malta's broadband usage. According to the latest EU statistics, he said, Malta has an 82 per cent residential broadband penetration, while 89 per cent of Maltese businesses make use of broadband. These figures exceed the European average which is 77 per cent.
During the launch, which featured a tour aboard the survey ship Fugro Gauss, Melita's chief operations officer Stephen Wright said the cable was the next phase of Malta's broadband communications development.
A €10 million investment, the all-optic cable is expected to be operational within 12 months and will run between Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and Pozzallo, Sicily.
He explained how the 100-kilometre long unbroken, unrepeatered cable will be designed and custom built according to the geographical layout of the seabed. Armoured for additional protection, the cable will provide "increase capacity for international connectivity, improved redundancy and reliability, a superior performance and enhanced quality of service.
"Melita's state-of-the-art submarine fibre optic cable will contribute towards achieving the government's aim of ensuring adequate international connectivity," he said.
Speaking at Melita's launch of a project to lay a state-of-the-art submarine fibre optic cable to mainland Europe, Communications and Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said the derogation was requested six months ago. The government felt it necessary as the Maltese economy was not large enough for private investment alone to strengthen the communications infrastructure.
He was non-committal, however, when asked if he believed such a derogation was achievable. "It would be a first," he said.
Considering Malta's fringe position on the European connectivity framework, and the degree to which the Maltese economy depends on such connectivity to function and grow, Malta and other island countries in similar situations should be granted such a derogation, he argued.
Speaking of Melita's plan to lay what will be Malta's fourth submarine fibre optic cable, he said that it will undoubtedly strengthen the island's international connectivity, enabling it to deal with any eventuality. "This is an important step which brings us closer to reaching Malta's goal of having five international connections by 2010," Dr Gatt said. Malta has two submarine cables linked to Sicily, owned by telecoms companies Vodafone and Go respectively. Go are planning a second link which they expect will be completed by the end of this year, which would make Melita's the fourth to go on stream.
Malta's economy depends on such submarine lifelines which ensure Malta's international connectivity, Dr Gatt said. He added that it was for this reason that his ministry is in favour of working closely with service providers to increase connectivity with the outside world.
"Providing a broader choice in international connectivity remains a priority for the government, to ensure that commercial and domestic users have a broad selection of quality services and, more importantly, continuous service in the event of an interruption in Malta's international connectivity."
Dr Gatt said that the Malta Communications Authority was carrying out a consultation process to find ways to ensure continuity of the service with the cooperation of all service providers.
Last month a cable fault experienced by Go left thousands of users and businesses alike cut off from the world wide web for the better part of a day.
Continuity of service was particularly necessary, Dr Gatt said, in the light of Malta's broadband usage. According to the latest EU statistics, he said, Malta has an 82 per cent residential broadband penetration, while 89 per cent of Maltese businesses make use of broadband. These figures exceed the European average which is 77 per cent.
During the launch, which featured a tour aboard the survey ship Fugro Gauss, Melita's chief operations officer Stephen Wright said the cable was the next phase of Malta's broadband communications development.
A €10 million investment, the all-optic cable is expected to be operational within 12 months and will run between Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and Pozzallo, Sicily.
He explained how the 100-kilometre long unbroken, unrepeatered cable will be designed and custom built according to the geographical layout of the seabed. Armoured for additional protection, the cable will provide "increase capacity for international connectivity, improved redundancy and reliability, a superior performance and enhanced quality of service.
"Melita's state-of-the-art submarine fibre optic cable will contribute towards achieving the government's aim of ensuring adequate international connectivity," he said.