International News
Telecoms
a) Europolitics. MEPs are more divided than ever after the Committee on Industry's (ITRE) vote on a report by Pilar del Castillo (EPP, Spain) on the single digital market, on 18 March. [read more]
b) ComReg. Provision of Universal Service by Eircom - Performance Data - Q3 2013 (1 July 2013 to 30 September 2013). [read more]
c) Cullen International. On March 12, 2014, the European Parliament massively backed, with amendments, the Commission proposal for a regulation on the protection and free movement of personal data. By adopting its … [read more] (subscription needed)
d) EurActiv. All mobile phones on the European market will soon have to comply with a standard charger after the European Parliament voted on a directive on Thursday (13 March). [read more]
e) Total Telecom. Ratings firm says in-market, fixed-mobile combinations will be most likely as players seek revenue, cost synergies. European telecoms will be one of the most … [read more]
Spectrum
a) Policy Tracker. The IoT is expected to provide a broad range of applications for anything that can be equipped with a sensor, said Andreas Geiss, acting head of the Commission's spectrum unit. The various ... [read more] (subscription needed)
b) Cullen International. The European Parliament adopted on March 13, 2014 its first reading position on the proposed network and information security (NIS) directive. Parliament considers ... [read more] (subscription needed)
c) Cullen International. BEREC draft report on monitoring the quality of internet access services will in particular address the system which NRAs should use to monitor performance and what metrics should be looked at. [read more] (subscription needed)
d) Advanced Television. Three out of every four homes in Britain can now get fixed broadband services at superfast speeds if they choose. [read more]
e) IEEE. The Internet of Things promises many advances, such as the ability for consumers to keep track of their energy usage on their phones or receive alerts when milk is running low. [read more]
Internet
a) Ars Technica. A European telecom law approved by a committee today is intended to prevent Internet service providers from blocking or slowing down Web applications, but lets ISPs charge content providers for higher quality of service. [read more]
b) Cullen International. The lead industry (ITRE) committee of the European Parliament has endorsed an agreement reached with the Greek presidency on the Commission’s proposed regulation on electronic identification and trust services. [read more] (subscription needed)
c) Cullen International. Measures to lower the cost of broadband deployment will be addressed by means of a directive, instead of a regulation, giving member states more flexibility to adjust to local specificities. [read more] (subscription needed)
Broadcasting
a) WorldDMB. The 84th Geneva International Motor Show 2014 is a showcase for why broadcast radio remains the top choice for in-car listening. This year alongside analogue radio (FM/AM), DAB+ was ... [read more]
eCommerce
a) Cullen. On. [read more]
Post
a) Postal services. [read more]
International Meetings
- CEPT ECC: Our Spectrum Management Manager attended the 36th ECC Meeting held in Romania between the 11th – 14th March 2014. During this meeting, aspects related to EC mandates and other electronic communications topics which are currently being studied by the various working groups of the ECC were discussed.
- Digital Champions Meeting: One of our Board Members attended the Digital Champions Meeting held in Brussels on the 19th – 20th March 2014.
- RSC Meeting: The 47th Radio Spectrum Committee Meeting was held between the 19 - 20th March 2014 in Brussels. Our Chief of Spectrum Management and Technology attended on behalf of MCA.
- Insafe Training Meeting and Steering Committee: Two of our Project Co-ordinators attended the next Insafe training meeting in Bratislava between the 18th – 20th March 2014. The training meeting was preceded by a Theme cluster meeting focusing on different facets of online advertising within the BIK objectives.
Publications
- DATA REPORT SHEET UPDATE: A series of Data Report Sheet (DRS) publications with a report covering the period Q1 2009 to Q4 2013 were updated. To view more information click here: http://www.mca.org.mt/statistics/key-market-indicators-electronic-communications-and-post-q1-2009-q4-2013
2. BOTTOM-UP COST MODEL FOR MOBILE NETWORKS AND MOBILE INTERCONNECTION PRICING - RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION AND DECISION: This decision follows a public consultation issued on 16th August 2013 (MCA/C/13-1646) and an Addendum issued on 23rd August 2013 (MCA/C/13-1675) for which two operators responded. To view more information click here: http://www.mca.org.mt/service-providers/decisions/bottom-cost-model-mobile-networks-and-mobile-interconnection-pricing
3. DECISION ON THE DEFINITION, ASSESSMENT OF COMPETITION AND REGULATION OF MOBILE VOICE CALL TERMINATION MARKETS IN MALTA: This decision follows an earlier consultation exercise carried out between the 5th of July 2013 and the 23rd of August 2013. To view more information click here: http://www.mca.org.mt/decisions/mca-decision-definition-assessment-competition-and-regulation-mobile-voice-call
4. DECISION ON PARCEL POST MARKETS: The MCA presented the final decision with regards to the market review of the parcel post markets. To view more information click here: http://www.mca.org.mt/decisions/market-review-postal-sector-parcel-post-markets
5. CONSUMER BI-ANNUAL REPORT (JULY - DECEMBER 2013): In the second half of 2013, the MCA received a total of 147 complaints and 150 enquiries. This report provides an analysis of these complaints and enquiries and also provides information on enforcement actions and related monitoring activities undertaken by the MCA during this period. To view more information click here: http://www.mca.org.mt/consumer/reports/consumer-bi-annual-report-july-december-2013
6. CONSULTATION ON THE ASSIGNMENT PROCESS FOR ADDITIONAL SPECTRUM FOR WIRELESS BROADBAND: The consultation period shall run from the 20th March 2014 to 5th May 2014. To view more information click here: http://www.mca.org.mt/consultations/mca-consultation-assignment-process-additional-spectrum-wireless-broadband
Legal Update
There were no legal updates in this period.