Second fibre optic link with Italy planned

Nationalist MP Michael Frendo yesterday welcomed plans by the private sector to establish a second fibre optic link between Malta and Italy, saying this was the fruit of the liberalisation of telecommunications.

Speaking during the budget debate on the Ministry of Justice and Local Government, Dr Frendo said that similarly, a fibre optic link also needed to be established between Malta and the African continent.

During the same debate, Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that possibly as early as next February, there would be public web phones in practically every main street and everyone would be given a free e-mail address.

A "My Web" initiative would be launched in January through which everyone would be offered 20 hours of free training.

Those following this training would be given an internet account and a free e-mail address as well as free instruction manuals, videos and CDs.

This initiative was being undertaken together with schools, local councils and trade unions and the teachers were currently being trained.

Dr Gatt, like Dr Frendo before him, said it was shameful that throughout the debate the opposition had not uttered a single word about information technology and the e-government programme. So much for the vision that the Labour Party claimed to have of Malta's future.

Malta now had the highest ratio of computers to primary school children in Europe, so how could anybody have a vision of the future without information technology?

Dr Frendo highlighted the packet of legislation on information technology approved by the government, such as the Data Protection Act and the law to regulate e-commerce. These, he said, were the essential pillars on which this sector would grow in the future. Clearly Malta could not allow itself to fall back in this sector if it was to compete with other countries.

He said the government's internet portal was an important development which all people should use. Plans for all people to have an e-address and for more services to be provided through the e-government system, such as licence renewal and applications for exams, were significant developments which reflected better efficiency in the public service and greater convenience for the people.

The development of the information society was clearly one of this government's success and it was a pity that the opposition had remained silent about it.

Dr Gatt said one in every three homes now had internet access, as did 80 per cent of businesses. The country also had the highest percentage of internet cafés.

The government had also taken the initiative to introduce ECDL in schools.

Dr Gatt also pointed out how Microsoft had selected Malta as the ideal location for investment.