Highlights and Activities for weeks 33 & 34

International Meetings

During the period under review, two MCA representatives participated in two separate working groups organised by the BEREC – the NGN EWG state aid and the NGN EWG whole group respectively.   
 
MCA Publications
 
  1. Consultation on the postal authorisation regime in a fully liberalised environment (MCA/C/12-1186): The MCA is seeking views from the industry and members of the public on licensing regime and administrative fees applicable in a competitive environment. The Consultation period will come to a close on the 24th September 2012  (see http://www.mca.org.mt/article/regulating-postal-sector-fully-liberalised-market-consultation-authorisation-regime-mcac12) 
  2. Tender notice: The MCA has received three bids in response to the tender for the provision of consultancy services in relation to the localisation and piloting of the WebCheck scheme in Malta. The bids are currently being evaluated. (see http://www.mca.org.mt/tender/provision-offer-consultancy-services-relation-localisation-and-piloting-webcheck-scheme-malta)  
  3. Tender notice: The MCA has received four bids in response to the tender for the review of GO plc’s application for funding of the net cost claimed to have been incurred to provide universal service obligations during 2010. The bids are currently being evaluated (see http://www.mca.org.mt/tender/review-go-plc%E2%80%99s-application-funding-net-cost-claimed-have-been-incurred-provide-universal). 
Activities
 
  1. eBusiness awards 2012 – COMING SOON: Following the success of the first edition of the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) eBusiness Awards held in November 2011, the Authority is pleased to announce that the applications to participate in the second edition of these awards will open in the coming weeks. These awards are aimed at acknowledging unique and innovative ideas and initiatives in the use of web-based technologies and eBusiness solutions for both businesses and society at large. In particular, these awards aim to recognise web-based technologies which have contributed to one or more of the following:  social development, improved interaction with clients and administrators or improved competitiveness.
    This year’s award categories are the following:
  • Best eGovernment Initiative
  • Best use of Technology in the Tourism Sector         
  • Best eCommerce Site (B2C)
  • Best use of Social Media
  • Best B2B Application
  • Best Mobile Application (Mobile Phone and Tablet)
  • Best eBusiness Idea of the Year  
     
The eBusiness Awards complement the MCA’s efforts to drive the take-up of ICT and promote eBusiness. By recognising those initiatives which are bringing tangible benefits to the day-to-day operation of organisations, the MCA aims to encourage other businesses or entities to follow suit.  These awards offer participants the unique opportunity of showcasing their innovative solutions to the entire business community and the general public. The MCA encourages government entities, private enterprises as well as any other organisations that embrace ICT as part of their operations to submit their application.   
Notifications will be published in the local media once the applications are open.
 
  1. Malta Internet Governance Forum: The MCA has officially applied for the Malta Internet Governance Forum to be officially recognised by the IGF (Internet Governance Forum). The IGF is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues of Internet governance.  It brings together all stakeholders in the internet governance debate, governments, private sector or civil society and academia on an equal basis and through an open and inclusive process. The establishment of the IGF was formally announced by the United Nations Secretary-General in July 2006.
     
Litigation and other legal updates
The MCA received a formal complaint by MaltaPost plc against another postal service provider by the name of ‘Mailbox’ alleging that the latter is providing postal services without being duly authorised to do so. The Authority is currently investigating the complaint. As part of the process, ‘Mailbox’ has been asked to give its submissions in this regard.