Highlights and activities for Weeks 41 & 42

International Meetings

1. Radio Spectrum Committee (RSCOM): The MCA’s Chief of Technology and Spectrum attended this 41st meeting of the Committee during which a presentation was given on the state of information and the ongoing development of the European Frequency Information System (EFIS) database.  This database is a tool to fulfil the requirements of the Commission Decision 2007/344/EC on the harmonized availability of information regarding spectrum use in Europe. Furthermore, a draft Commission decision on the paired terrestrial 2 GHz was unanimously approved during this meeting. In addition, the Commission also presented its draft Implementing Act on the Inventory of spectrum use. A working document (RSCOM12-36Rev1) outlining the background to the application of derogations to the deadline of 1 January 2013 for the authorisation of the use of the 800 MHz band for electronic communications services, other than broadcasting was also presented.  The document also outlined at high level the requests for derogation that had been received to date.  
    
2. Florence School of Regulation (FSR) Communications and Media Annual Training:  FSR Annual Training on Communications & Media Regulation is a state-of-the-art course combining high academic standards with a deep and direct contact with actual and present regulatory problems and trade-offs. The training course is opened by a five-day block of “Principles of Electronic Communications Technology, Economics And Law,” which is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach to all major regulatory topics and provides the basis to the entire training. The following blocks are more in-depth and specialized three-day training courses on “Network regulation”; “Internet economy and audiovisual content delivery” and “Competition policy in electronic communications markets”. The April block will close the course with delivery of diplomas to participants. The Chief of External Relations is participating in this training. 
    
3. Net Neutrality Expert Working Group Meeting: One of our technical specialists attended an expert working group meeting organised by BEREC on net neutrality in which a update was given on project status and scheduling as well as an update on the quality of service guidelines. The EC Net Neutrality Questionnaire, the High-level policy paper and the SamKnows broadband study were also discussed amongst other items of interest to the subject.
    
4. Safer Internet Forum: A representative from the MCA attended the Safer Internet Forum organized by the Safer Internet Programme of the European Commission as an annual conference on safer internet issues. It brings together representatives from industry, law enforcement authorities, child welfare organizations and policy makers. The past editions of the Safer Internet Forum have welcomed guests not only from Europe, but also from countries such as Australia, Brazil and the Russian Federation. The theme selected for this year’s edition was "Creating together a Better Internet for Children and Young People." The Forum presented end users with the opportunity to voice their opinions by means of highly interactive brainstorming sessions which bring together children, parents and educators from across Europe. A Maltese youth will also be participating in these events. 
    
5. Telecentre-Europe Summit 2012: Under the title Jobs for Youth and Ageing Online, the summit focused on how Telecentres impact youths and older individuals, by providing the right eSkills; by the use of social media; and by encouraging social innovation, towards better jobs and an improved quality of life. Plenary sessions discussed issues like jobs and skills, social media and social innovation & entrepreneurship. 
    
6. 8th Article 13A WG: A technical specialist participated in a meeting organised by ENISA, during which, other NRAs and ENISA representatives discussed a new list of guidelines for the reporting of Network Integrity and Security Issues. These new guidelines will be published next year.
    
7. SMAU Business Fair: After the successful presentation in Ireland, MCA representatives were invited to deliver a presentation at the SMAU fair taking place in Milan between the 18th and 20th October. The MCA is expected to give an overview of the lessons learnt from the ICT-VN project and describe how the WebCheck initiative will be adapted to the local scenario to subsequently be implemented in Malta. The number of attendees participating in the SMAU fair generally amounts to around 40,000 and thus is an excellent opportunity for the MCA to network and to showcase the WebCheck initiative. 
    
8. International Institute of Communications (IIC) International Regulators Forum 2012: The MCA Chairman participated in a round table discussion on ‘Telecommunications without Borders’ giving the Maltese perspective, opportunities and challenges during the IIC’s International Regulators Forum (IRF). This Forum uniquely covers the entire communications regulatory sector and is exclusively for regulators, offering – over two days - an international perspective on national and global issues. It provides a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and explore new developments in a workshop environment. The forum is hosted by the Media Development Authority and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.
    
9. Other meetings: MCA representatives also participated in the EU Communications Committee (COCOM) meeting and a working group organised by the EU Radio Spectrum Policy Group on spectrum for wireless broadband. 

1. EPITOME training: The MCA has extended the deadline for applications to Friday, 26th October 2012. This training is aimed at microenterprises and respective employees, the self employed and from this year, SMEs. This training is provided free of charge and will run for a period of 20 weeks.  Applications close on 19th October 2012.  See http://www.mca.org.mt/epitome  for more information. 
    
2. WiFi locator Application: As part of its student support programme, during this Summer, the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) engaged a number of students from the University of Malta and other educational institutions offering them the opportunity to put into practice operational and technical skills in the field of ICT. As a result, these students developed an application for all mobile devices running on Android 1.6 or higher.  This application assists users in locating over 170 free public Wi-Fi Hotspots that the MCA installed jointly with a number of host organisations around Malta and Gozo. It is anticipated that further value-added enhancements will be undertaken in the coming months, together with the development of a similar App for iPhone devices.  The application, which is free of charge and can be downloaded directly from the Google Play store, in which it has been ranked 18th and 19th amongst the TOP FREE APPLICATIONS.  Further information can be obtained from http://www.mca.org.mt/free-wi-fi-locator-smartphone-application

1. Communications Market Review: This document has been updated following revisions to the data for fixed telephony subscriptions and mobile telephony subscriptions for Q2 2012. See http://www.mca.org.mt/article/key-market-indicators-electronic-communications-and-post-q1-2009-q2-2012 
    
2. EMF Results: Results have been updated following audits carried out between August and September. See http://www.mca.org.mt/article/update-emf-results 
    
3. Consultation on a new Bottom-Up-Cost-Model (BUCM) for Fixed Networks and Proposed Interconnection Rates: By means of this consultation, the Authority is proposing a glidepath for fixed termination and origination rates. The consultation closes on 5th November 2012. See See http://www.mca.org.mt/consultation/mca%E2%80%99s-new-bottom-cost-model-fixed-networks-and-proposed-interconnection-prices-mca 
    
4. Consultation and proposed Decision on a price control mechanism or MaltaPost plc and revised postal tariffs: This consultation and proposed decision takes into account the main factors considered by the MCA in the development of a proposed price control mechanism for MaltaPost plc and the Authority’s position on the tariff revisions requested by MaltaPost. This consultation closes on Friday, 19th October 2012. See http://www.mca.org.mt/consultation/consultation-and-proposed-decision-price-control-mechanism-maltapost-plc-and-revised  

   Consumer complaints reports: The Authority published a number of consumer complaints reports covering individual months until June this year. See http://www.mca.org.mt/consumers/statistics/complaints-by-operator 

Tenders