Integrated communications: The future is already here in Malta
Back at home after a hard day's work, she switched on her high-definition TV set to enjoy a music concert. Previously, while at work, she had accessed her digital TV set-top box from her mobile phone, setting it to record the latest episode of her...
Back at home after a hard day's work, she switched on her high-definition TV set to enjoy a music concert. Previously, while at work, she had accessed her digital TV set-top box from her mobile phone, setting it to record the latest episode of her favourite series to watch at her convenience.
This done, she is eager to finish supper with her family and relax on the couch. However, a few minutes into the show, a message popped-up on the TV set. It is an alert of an incoming mobile call that has been automatically diverted to the home's fixed-line phone. She reaches for the phone nearby, not the mobile which she has left in her handbag, and answers the call. It's an old-time friend, time to catch up and the series is paused.
The call over, she hits the play button on the remote to continue. This episode has heightened her curiosity and she goes online to read the synopsis of the next episode directly off her TV, which is connected to the home's 30Mbps broadband connection. A quick check of her Facebook and e-mails brings the long day to a close. Off to bed.
Fast forward to the end of the month, she receives a single bill for all her communication services.
Although this scenario seems to come from the future, albeit not a distant one, it is one that could soon happen in a typical Maltese home thanks to the integrated network that Melita is building to provide its TV, mobile, fixed-line and internet services.
Talking to Simon Montanaro, Melita's Chief Technical Officer, i-Tech got an exclusive insight into what the company really means when it insists that it has an integrated network and it is a true quad-player.
"Melita has merged its networks and IT platforms into an efficient collective of technical resources. We believe that we are the first local telco to have done so holistically across all our services." Mr Montanaro told i-Tech.
"This technical project is designed to bring more convenience and benefits to our customers, for example, a single monthly bill for all services. Other technical examples are fixed voice and data sharing the same delivery platform or the integration of our 3G-backhaul into our fiber and hybrid fiber/coax networks. Initially the advantages of integration relate to efficiency. This is most visible in the pricing of our voice products. Another big win for customers is that it allows products to be available across different platforms leading, for example, to complementary fixed and mobile services."
Melita has used a well-distributed fibre to the feeder system from its outset in 1992. This choice, coupled with the use of reputable equipment vendors, was fundamental to provide the basis for the services that are being offered today.
The design of Melita's hybrid fiber/coax infrastructure lends itself well for the efficient and simultaneous transmission of different services in their various forms and has allowed the organisation a relatively smooth upgrade path over the years. Essentially, by continually driving fiber closer to the home, Melita has been able to reduce the amount of devices between its master telecom centre in Madliena and the subscriber's home, thus increasing the capacity and reliability of the fixed network.
Melita has also invested in a 100km submarine fiber optic cable linking Malta to the rest of the world. Upon commissioning in the coming months, Melita will operate Malta's largest fiber-optic connection between Malta and Sicily.
The latest addition to Melita's portfolio is the mobile communication service launched a little more than two months ago, thus transforming the company into a quad player, offering the four basic communication and entertainment services.
"It took plenty of effort and commitment, but as with all such projects the devil is in the detail. It was a particularly interesting part of the project to work on, as it was virgin territory for us and to a large extent, our partners."
Melita commissioned Ericsson to build its 3G mobile network across the Maltese Islands and recruited over 100 new employees to deliver the service. Cesare Avenia, Ericsson's head of market unit for southeast Europe, was reported in The Sunday Times earlier this year as saying: "If you want an example of what a futuristic network looks like, Melita's network is it"."
Mr Montanaro confirmed Melita is discussing fiber-based broadband internet with government and he feels the company is well positioned, given the fact that its network already offers the highest internet access speeds in Malta right now.
Melita is not per se impacted by the switchover date for digital TV, set for December 31, 2010, as its platform is a closed and private one that does not affect third parties. Therefore the delivery of services, including analogue broadcasts, will be driven by the needs of Melita's customers.
It's HD TV that presents a major challenge. Although Melita contends that it already delivers a high-quality picture, even in standard definition, the company has carried out HD trials for some time but has not yet made the service commercially available.
"From a technical point of view, HD trials went well. Melita was satisfied with the transmissions and with the picture quality," explained Mr Montanaro. "The challenge we face is a commercial one: Sourcing an HD set-top box at the right price and gauging whether demand exists for HD quality. Given the limitations of our market, HD pricing remains an issue. An HD STB could easily cost four to five times more than a standard definition STB.
"It is also debatable as to whether clients are prepared to pay for HD programming, the broadcasting rights for which are currently only available at premium rates. Melita has laid the groundwork to provide this service and continues to evaluate this segment in order to enter this specific market segment once it becomes more commercially feasible."
This done, she is eager to finish supper with her family and relax on the couch. However, a few minutes into the show, a message popped-up on the TV set. It is an alert of an incoming mobile call that has been automatically diverted to the home's fixed-line phone. She reaches for the phone nearby, not the mobile which she has left in her handbag, and answers the call. It's an old-time friend, time to catch up and the series is paused.
The call over, she hits the play button on the remote to continue. This episode has heightened her curiosity and she goes online to read the synopsis of the next episode directly off her TV, which is connected to the home's 30Mbps broadband connection. A quick check of her Facebook and e-mails brings the long day to a close. Off to bed.
Fast forward to the end of the month, she receives a single bill for all her communication services.
Although this scenario seems to come from the future, albeit not a distant one, it is one that could soon happen in a typical Maltese home thanks to the integrated network that Melita is building to provide its TV, mobile, fixed-line and internet services.
Talking to Simon Montanaro, Melita's Chief Technical Officer, i-Tech got an exclusive insight into what the company really means when it insists that it has an integrated network and it is a true quad-player.
"Melita has merged its networks and IT platforms into an efficient collective of technical resources. We believe that we are the first local telco to have done so holistically across all our services." Mr Montanaro told i-Tech.
"This technical project is designed to bring more convenience and benefits to our customers, for example, a single monthly bill for all services. Other technical examples are fixed voice and data sharing the same delivery platform or the integration of our 3G-backhaul into our fiber and hybrid fiber/coax networks. Initially the advantages of integration relate to efficiency. This is most visible in the pricing of our voice products. Another big win for customers is that it allows products to be available across different platforms leading, for example, to complementary fixed and mobile services."
Melita has used a well-distributed fibre to the feeder system from its outset in 1992. This choice, coupled with the use of reputable equipment vendors, was fundamental to provide the basis for the services that are being offered today.
The design of Melita's hybrid fiber/coax infrastructure lends itself well for the efficient and simultaneous transmission of different services in their various forms and has allowed the organisation a relatively smooth upgrade path over the years. Essentially, by continually driving fiber closer to the home, Melita has been able to reduce the amount of devices between its master telecom centre in Madliena and the subscriber's home, thus increasing the capacity and reliability of the fixed network.
Melita has also invested in a 100km submarine fiber optic cable linking Malta to the rest of the world. Upon commissioning in the coming months, Melita will operate Malta's largest fiber-optic connection between Malta and Sicily.
The latest addition to Melita's portfolio is the mobile communication service launched a little more than two months ago, thus transforming the company into a quad player, offering the four basic communication and entertainment services.
"It took plenty of effort and commitment, but as with all such projects the devil is in the detail. It was a particularly interesting part of the project to work on, as it was virgin territory for us and to a large extent, our partners."
Melita commissioned Ericsson to build its 3G mobile network across the Maltese Islands and recruited over 100 new employees to deliver the service. Cesare Avenia, Ericsson's head of market unit for southeast Europe, was reported in The Sunday Times earlier this year as saying: "If you want an example of what a futuristic network looks like, Melita's network is it"."
Mr Montanaro confirmed Melita is discussing fiber-based broadband internet with government and he feels the company is well positioned, given the fact that its network already offers the highest internet access speeds in Malta right now.
Melita is not per se impacted by the switchover date for digital TV, set for December 31, 2010, as its platform is a closed and private one that does not affect third parties. Therefore the delivery of services, including analogue broadcasts, will be driven by the needs of Melita's customers.
It's HD TV that presents a major challenge. Although Melita contends that it already delivers a high-quality picture, even in standard definition, the company has carried out HD trials for some time but has not yet made the service commercially available.
"From a technical point of view, HD trials went well. Melita was satisfied with the transmissions and with the picture quality," explained Mr Montanaro. "The challenge we face is a commercial one: Sourcing an HD set-top box at the right price and gauging whether demand exists for HD quality. Given the limitations of our market, HD pricing remains an issue. An HD STB could easily cost four to five times more than a standard definition STB.
"It is also debatable as to whether clients are prepared to pay for HD programming, the broadcasting rights for which are currently only available at premium rates. Melita has laid the groundwork to provide this service and continues to evaluate this segment in order to enter this specific market segment once it becomes more commercially feasible."