This year will see some important initiatives undertaken by the Malta Communications Authority in the field of information technology and communication, according to its annual plan just published.
These initiatives include a review and upgrade of the Internet Health Monitoring Online System and making sure internet broadband users get the speeds they pay for; creating a local business to business platform; a review of the digital terrestrial broadcasting strategy; setting-up a specialised digital divide response team to deliver intensive, focused and customized ICT awareness; and an online solution for holiday-making in Gozo.
"The MCA's plans and priorities are influenced by a number of developments and challenges emanating from the immediate and wider external environments (both national and international) within which it operates," the authority said while explaining the context of its current and immediate-future operations.
These developments and challenges include the pace of technological innovation that is resulting in convergence of networks and services and the evolution towards next generation access; the developments leading to a new EU electronic communications regulatory framework; the increasing concern on the need to strengthen information security and network integrity; the ongoing growth in the uptake of e-commerce in Malta; and the new role of the MCA as the champion for the uptake of ICT in all facets of Maltese society and economy.
The MCA promised it will continue to carry out the necessary work to promote widespread access to electronic communications services. During 2009 it will finalise a detailed review of the scope of the electronic communications universal service obligations in Malta taking into consideration the developments in competition and changing needs of customers.
"With a healthy competitive environment, the regulation of retail markets may decrease but issues of importance to consumers remain, which need regulatory attention. There is, therefore, still ample scope for MCA activity that is directly focused at the consumer," the authority admits.
The MCA said it will continue to review and maintain quality of service provision concepts in the light of technology evolution and a multiple operator environment.
Addressing a concern that has been voiced since the introduction of internet in Malta, the MCA said it will "implement measures to prevent significant disparities between consumers' expectation of broadband speeds and their actual experience and consider whether, and in what form, consumers should be provided with more information on the quality of service of different broadband internet service providers. To further empower the internet consumer to quantify the quality of service of the provision of broadband the MCA will this year review and upgrade its Internet Health Monitoring Online System."
In the meantime, the authority will continue the monitoring of electronic magnetic emissions with a view to ensuring that levels of electromagnetic radiation are in conformity with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines.
On December 31, 2010 Malta will switch off its analogue TV signals and the MCA will this year work in concert with the Broadcasting Authority and relevant ministries on finalising the assignment of rights of use of frequencies for digital broadcasting meeting General Interest Objectives, which will see PBS taking a very active role as reported by i-Tech some weeks ago.
In addition, as part of the smooth transition to digital television the MCA will, together with other stakeholders, carry out an extensive communications campaign and monitor the progress towards the transition to digital television by switchover. The authority announced that it will review the digital terrestrial broadcasting strategy in relation to the planning and management of the spectrum use for Digital Terrestrial TV, licensing and regulation of digital TV services.
During the annual plan period there will be a range of activities designed to achieve a new European regulatory framework. The MCA will monitor and contribute to the review by the European Commission of the regulatory framework for electronic communications with respect to such key areas as the consolidation of the internal market, spectrum management on an EU level, and consumer protection and security.
The authority will also formalise a "technology watch" function to monitor international technology developments and assess their implications to the Maltese context.
The MCA bound itself to continue to monitor the rollout of wireless broadband infrastructures and services with a view to ensuring timely implementation in line with licence conditions. In fact out of three broadband wireless licensees, only once has launched commercially.
In order to encourage new and innovative technologies and services the MCA will, among other initiatives, examine the digital dividend which could result from frequencies becoming available through the analogue switch-off and identify the most effective means of allocating and assigning these frequencies. It will also develop and promote test and trial radio spectrum licences to encourage the development of innovative spectrum usage in a safe and technology-neutral environment and endeavour to accommodate requirements for trials of convergent and innovative wireless technologies.
E-commerce is also catered for in the MCA's annual plan for this year, where the authority binds itself to "continue to work towards the implementation of the necessary regulatory structures that are required to achieve a solid e-Commerce environment." This work includes the setting up and maintaining an e-signatures audit and supervision function; carrying out e-signatures technical and security audits; and provide business with the necessary tools and infrastructure to enable the take up of ICT e-Commerce solutions which will enhance the competitiveness of the Maltese industry.
To this effect, a national e-invoicing platform and related electronic clearing house, an online solution for holiday-making in Gozo and a local business to business platform to establish common technology protocols and business to business and government to business interoperability frameworks are planned.
To honour its relatively new commitment of promoting the Maltese information society, the MCA said it will continue to implement a number of initiatives which will aim at reaching disadvantaged sections of the population to ensure access to ICTs and enhance the level of usage of ICTs as a means of improving quality of life. This includes the setting-up of a specialised digital divide response team to deliver intensive, focused and customised ICT awareness and education programmes and employability skills in underprivileged locations, communities or groups with particular disadvantages.
These initiatives include a review and upgrade of the Internet Health Monitoring Online System and making sure internet broadband users get the speeds they pay for; creating a local business to business platform; a review of the digital terrestrial broadcasting strategy; setting-up a specialised digital divide response team to deliver intensive, focused and customized ICT awareness; and an online solution for holiday-making in Gozo.
"The MCA's plans and priorities are influenced by a number of developments and challenges emanating from the immediate and wider external environments (both national and international) within which it operates," the authority said while explaining the context of its current and immediate-future operations.
These developments and challenges include the pace of technological innovation that is resulting in convergence of networks and services and the evolution towards next generation access; the developments leading to a new EU electronic communications regulatory framework; the increasing concern on the need to strengthen information security and network integrity; the ongoing growth in the uptake of e-commerce in Malta; and the new role of the MCA as the champion for the uptake of ICT in all facets of Maltese society and economy.
The MCA promised it will continue to carry out the necessary work to promote widespread access to electronic communications services. During 2009 it will finalise a detailed review of the scope of the electronic communications universal service obligations in Malta taking into consideration the developments in competition and changing needs of customers.
"With a healthy competitive environment, the regulation of retail markets may decrease but issues of importance to consumers remain, which need regulatory attention. There is, therefore, still ample scope for MCA activity that is directly focused at the consumer," the authority admits.
The MCA said it will continue to review and maintain quality of service provision concepts in the light of technology evolution and a multiple operator environment.
Addressing a concern that has been voiced since the introduction of internet in Malta, the MCA said it will "implement measures to prevent significant disparities between consumers' expectation of broadband speeds and their actual experience and consider whether, and in what form, consumers should be provided with more information on the quality of service of different broadband internet service providers. To further empower the internet consumer to quantify the quality of service of the provision of broadband the MCA will this year review and upgrade its Internet Health Monitoring Online System."
In the meantime, the authority will continue the monitoring of electronic magnetic emissions with a view to ensuring that levels of electromagnetic radiation are in conformity with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines.
On December 31, 2010 Malta will switch off its analogue TV signals and the MCA will this year work in concert with the Broadcasting Authority and relevant ministries on finalising the assignment of rights of use of frequencies for digital broadcasting meeting General Interest Objectives, which will see PBS taking a very active role as reported by i-Tech some weeks ago.
In addition, as part of the smooth transition to digital television the MCA will, together with other stakeholders, carry out an extensive communications campaign and monitor the progress towards the transition to digital television by switchover. The authority announced that it will review the digital terrestrial broadcasting strategy in relation to the planning and management of the spectrum use for Digital Terrestrial TV, licensing and regulation of digital TV services.
During the annual plan period there will be a range of activities designed to achieve a new European regulatory framework. The MCA will monitor and contribute to the review by the European Commission of the regulatory framework for electronic communications with respect to such key areas as the consolidation of the internal market, spectrum management on an EU level, and consumer protection and security.
The authority will also formalise a "technology watch" function to monitor international technology developments and assess their implications to the Maltese context.
The MCA bound itself to continue to monitor the rollout of wireless broadband infrastructures and services with a view to ensuring timely implementation in line with licence conditions. In fact out of three broadband wireless licensees, only once has launched commercially.
In order to encourage new and innovative technologies and services the MCA will, among other initiatives, examine the digital dividend which could result from frequencies becoming available through the analogue switch-off and identify the most effective means of allocating and assigning these frequencies. It will also develop and promote test and trial radio spectrum licences to encourage the development of innovative spectrum usage in a safe and technology-neutral environment and endeavour to accommodate requirements for trials of convergent and innovative wireless technologies.
E-commerce is also catered for in the MCA's annual plan for this year, where the authority binds itself to "continue to work towards the implementation of the necessary regulatory structures that are required to achieve a solid e-Commerce environment." This work includes the setting up and maintaining an e-signatures audit and supervision function; carrying out e-signatures technical and security audits; and provide business with the necessary tools and infrastructure to enable the take up of ICT e-Commerce solutions which will enhance the competitiveness of the Maltese industry.
To this effect, a national e-invoicing platform and related electronic clearing house, an online solution for holiday-making in Gozo and a local business to business platform to establish common technology protocols and business to business and government to business interoperability frameworks are planned.
To honour its relatively new commitment of promoting the Maltese information society, the MCA said it will continue to implement a number of initiatives which will aim at reaching disadvantaged sections of the population to ensure access to ICTs and enhance the level of usage of ICTs as a means of improving quality of life. This includes the setting-up of a specialised digital divide response team to deliver intensive, focused and customised ICT awareness and education programmes and employability skills in underprivileged locations, communities or groups with particular disadvantages.