Stiff competition for broadband wireless bands

Seven companies have applied to the Malta Communications Authority for rights of use to broadband wireless access technologies, as the tender period came to an end yesterday afternoon.

The companies are Mobisle Communications Ltd (Go Mobile), Vodafone (Malta) Ltd, Maltacom plc, Melita Cable plc, Cellcom Ltd, Clearwire Europe Sarl and Innovative Technologies Ltd. The applications still have to be verified.

Since the number of applications received exceeded the three bands available, a comparative process, known as a beauty contest, will now be necessary. A spokesman for the MCA said the selection process is expected to take between two and three months.

On the other hand, three companies - Mobisle Communications Ltd (Go Mobile), Vodafone (Malta) Ltd and 3G Telecommunications Ltd - have submitted applications for the introduction of third generation mobile telephony. Three frequencies were made available by the MCA and therefore there is no need for a comparative process in this category.

The MCA last month published a comprehensive document giving details of the policy relating to third generation (3G) mobile telephony, broadband wireless access and digital terrestrial television and radio.

The broadband wireless access applications will permit the introduction of new national broadband networks that could compete with the existing fixed DSL and cable infrastructures. These broadband access networks could be used for the provision of triple-play (voice, video and data) services.

3G mobile technology can deliver telephony, video calls and high speed internet access, streaming music and video and sophisticated location-based services.