Four companies interested in digital terrestrial TV in Malta
The imminent process of policy document publication and consultations covering the various aspects of modern telecommunications was raised by the Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, in his address to the Malta Communications...
The imminent process of policy document publication and consultations covering the various aspects of modern telecommunications was raised by the Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, in his address to the Malta Communications Authority's annual conference yesterday.
Minister Galea said: "The communications sector in Malta is being continuously updated to reflect Malta's commitment towards attaining an information based socio-economic environment. Following important steps, such as the full liberalisation of the telecommunications industry, this drive has contributed in leading us to develop a national information and communication technology (ICT) being the key for improved competitiveness and productivity growth in Europe.
"Therefore, the electronic communications sector has a strategic role to play in delivering innovative services that will allow the wider economy and society as a whole to realise the benefits of the information society. One of these is broadband."
Mr Galea said that Malta today had a broadband penetration level of 7.7 per cent, exceeding those of the newly enlarged EU, which stands at 6.1 per cent.
The final draft of the National Broadband Strategy for Malta, drawn up jointly by the Malta Communications Authority and the Ministry for Information Technology and Investment, was presented to the National Information Society Advisory Council last month following a period of public consultation.
The final version of the National Broadband Strategy will be forwarded to the EU Commission by the end of May. This will be in advance of the Commission's own communication on the same subject which is expected to be presented at the June European Union Telecommunications Council.
Mr Galea said the government was already considering the appropriate policies for new broadband technologies - power line and fixed wireless access. He said that four companies have already expressed interest in launching digital terrestrial TV operations in Malta. A policy document will be published for consultation by the government shortly.