Regulator insists on uninterrupted fixed line telephone services

The Malta Communications Authority is urging providers of fixed telephone services to ensure there is "uninterrupted access to emergency numbers" in case of a power cut.

As things stand at the moment, customers of Hello are unable to use their phone even to make emergency calls in the event of a power cut because the phone line works through a modem that requires a power supply. Maltacom phone lines are not affected by power cuts.

In a draft paper entitled Emergency Services Obligations Of Publicly Available Telephone Services At Fixed Locations, the MCA is proposing introducing an obligation that would compel phone service providers supplying a phone service via modem to install uninterrupted power supplies that would guarantee at least three hours of power.

"The availability of uninterrupted access to emergency services via telephone is a very important facility that should be made available to users. Due to the welcome increase in the number of fixed line providers, in order to ensure that users rights are safeguarded, the MCA is consulting on a proposed decision to specify the reasonable conditions that should satisfy for uninterrupted access to emergency services," the MCA said.

The Electronic Communications Networks and Services Regulations establish that those providing fixed line phone services should take all reasonable steps to ensure uninterrupted access to emergency services.

The regulations empower the MCA to specify obligations to be complied with by phone service providers to ensure the continued availability of the service even in adverse circumstances such as a power failure.

Hello failed to respond to questions sent by The Times several days ago.

The MCA's document can be viewed at http://www.mca.org.mt.