International News
Telecommunications
a) ETNO. ETNO members, who represent the main investors in today's and tomorrow's high-speed networks, welcome the conclusions of the European Council, which echo the industry call for a single market for telecoms. A broad reform is needed in order to boost the sector’s competitiveness and unlock its potential to drive growth and jobs in Europe. Read more…
b) BEREC. BEREC reiterated its commitment to enhance the broadband investment environment across Europe, while continuing to promote competition. Europe’s regulators share the Commission’s determination to ensure a transparent, predictable, and stable regulatory environment in support of the roll out of NGA networks. Read more… Read also analytical article prepare by Cullen International (subscription needed)
c) Cullen International. Despite being supported by BEREC, ČTÚ, the Czech regulator, withdrew on March 4, 2013 its proposed fixed termination rates (FTRs) based on Read more… (subscription needed)
d) European Commission. European Commission opens Phase II investigation pursuant to Article 7a of Directive 2002/21/EC as amended by Directive 2009/140/EC into proposed wholesale voice call termination on individual mobile networks in Germany. Read more…
Read also analytical article prepare by Cullen International (subscription needed).
e) Telecoms.com. Operator group Telenor said it has become the first mobile operator in Norway to offer HD Voice across its network. Read more…
TV and Radio Broadcasting
a) Advanced Television. Twenty-two of the European Union’s 27 members have now completed digital switchover, as have the non-EU European states Croatia, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, according to European Audiovisual Observatory. Read more…
Internet
a) European Commission. Telecoms Regulatory body (BEREC) issues opinion on proposed rules for enhancing high speed internet roll-out – Statement from Vice President Neelie Kroes. Read more…
Broadband
a) Advanced Television. Europe’s leading cable companies score higher than their rivals in customer satisfaction with broadband service, but trail them in television service, according to research from Strategy Analytics’ ConsumerMetrix service. Read more…
TV
a) Advanced Television. Spanish broadcasting agency Abertis Telecom is to make the first worldwide UHDTV transmission at the end of this month within the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Read more…
E-commerce
a) EurActiv. The European Parliament has approved out-of-court systems for dealing with consumer complaints, in a drive to save some €22.5 billion by reducing the number of lengthy court actions. Under the rules, EU countries will have to assemble dispute resolution bodies to deal with contractual disputes between consumers and traders, such as the sale of faulty products. The entities will have 90 days to settle disputes. Read more…
a) Out-Law.com. The European Commission is to crack down on aggressive commercial practices, which it claims are discouraging consumers from shopping with other member states online. Read more…
International Meetings
- High Level Internet Governance (HLIG) Meeting: The High Level Group on Internet Governance (HLIG) group was commissioned by DG CONNECT Director-General R. Madelin to act as a platform for exchange of information and coordination at European level on Internet Governance issues. During the meeting which was attended by an MCA representative, the EC presented the EU strategy on Cybersecurity which portrays the EU's comprehensive vision on ways to prevent and respond to cyber disruptions and attacks. The strategy entitled 'An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace' was published in February 2013 and can be accessed by clicking here. The meeting also discussed the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum which will be held in Geneva in May 2013, IGF developments and a review on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) which was held in February.
- Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC): MCA representatives attended the 43rd meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee. Amongst other things, the meeting discussed spectrum policy aspects relating to Short Range Devices, Ultra-Wideband technology, Mobile Communications services onboard Aircraft and Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE). The meeting also considered and approved an implementing act which defines the practical arrangements, uniform formats and a methodology in relation to the radio spectrum inventory established by Decision No. 243/2012/EU.
During this RSC meeting, the RSPG working group meeting on cross border coordination held ad-hoc discussions concerning the harmful interference problems caused by Italy to Malta’s broadcasting sector.
3. Social media for public administrations – seminar: Our Communications Coordinator attended a practical seminar on the use of social media application in public administrations and institutions. The seminar provided practical examples and case studies on the design and implementation of social media and how related applications and impact can be optimized. The seminar also addressed how a successful web presence can be assured despite limited resources and in particular how to manage criticism by users.
Events
1. Get Online Week ‘GOW’: The Malta Communications Authority (‘MCA’) and 19 Community Training and Learning Centres (CTLCs) across Malta and Gozo this week celebrated the ‘Get Online Week 2013’ (‘GOW’). The ‘GOW’ is a pan European initiative organised by Telecentre-Europe across 30 countries with the involvement of over 10,000 ICT learning centres (also known as telecentres) which is aimed at helping more people to go digital and start using ICTs as part of their everyday life.
Various activities were undertaken locally to coincide with this week. Over 600 individuals aged 55 and over have started their basic ‘ICTforALL’ training at one of the 19 CTLCs. For most of these individuals, the training will be their first encounter with a computer and the Internet, and will also serve as the doorstep to a future digital lifestyle. Through the ‘Digital Angels’ initiative, children in the sixth year of primary school have paired up with a grandparent and have engaged in a computer-based activity of their choice. The activity has served to promote intergenerational learning activities whilst also encouraging first-time users. Through ‘BeSmartOnline!’, a project funded by the Safer Internet Programme and that has the MCA, Agenzija Appogg and the Office of the Commissioner for Children as partners, a new school roadshow on internet safety has been launched. The roadshow will be engaging all form 3 students in secondary schools in activities and discussions on how to build and protect one’s digital identity.
Publications
- Consumer complaints and enquiries report (Jul-Dec 2012): The MCA published it’s end-user half yearly report covering the period July – December 2012. This report provides an analysis of the complaints and enquires received by the MCA in the second half of 2012 and also focuses on enforcement actions and related monitoring activities undertaken by the MCA during this period. The report is available on MCA’s website and can be accessed by clicking here.
- Statistical Complaint report (January 2013): On a monthly basis the Authority publishes a statistical report on the complaints received and dealt with by the MCA on each of the sectors it regulates. The report provides information on the number of justified complaints filed against service providers and the timeframes taken to address such complaints. January’s report is available on MCA’s website and can be accessed by clicking here.
- Key market indicators Data Report sheet Q1 2009 – Q4 2012: The MCA updated its series of Data Report Sheet ('DRS') publications with a report covering the period Q1 2009 to Q4 2012. The purpose of this publication is to inform the general public on the main trends and developments in Malta concerning electronic communications and post. The report sheet lists a number of indicators for the aforementioned areas, with data presented on a quarterly basis. The report is available on MCA’s website and can be accessed by clicking here.