Highlights and Activities for Weeks 47 & 48

International News

1. Telecoms

a)      Anaysys Mason.  If politicians took a longer-term view, they would most likely conclude that intervening in the telecoms market would not be necessary.  Read more...

b)     Mobile World L!ve.  There has been an accelerated decline in telecoms revenue in Europe in 2013, according to research by the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO).  Read more…

c)      telecompaper.  EU commissioner Neelie Kroes has written a letter to Italian regulator Agcom criticising the rates set for call origination, termination and transit on individual fixed networks.  Read more...

d)     European Voice.  The European Commission's proposal to create a single market for telecoms faces an uphill struggle in the European Parliament, after sharp criticism from the MEP drafting the Parliament's response.  Read more…

e)     European Parliament.  MEPs endorsed a deal with member states on the EU's new Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which aims to speed up funding to complete key trans-European transport, energy and telecoms links.  Read more…

 

2. Spectrum

a)      telecoms.com.  The number of LTE connections worldwide is expected to surpass one billion by 2017, according to trade association the GSMA.  Read more…

b)     Advanced Television.  Samsung-vs-Apple-150x150Global smartphone shipments are forecast to reach 1.8 billion in 2017, accounting for 82 per cent of total mobile phone handset shipments, up from 55 per cent in Q3 2013.  Read more…

c)      Policy Tracker.  The Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) has adopted Decision (13)03 approving the use of the 1452-1492 MHz band for Mobile/Fixed Communication Networks (MFCN) Supplemental Downlink (SDL).  Read more… (subscription is required)

d)     Advanced Television.  Ofcom has unveiled its plan to ensure the UK has enough mobile capacity for future use, including several new spectrum bands.  Read more…

e)     Policy Tracker.  The European Commission has decided to allow airline passengers to use 3G and 4G services while they are above 3,000 metres. Read more… (subscription is required)

f)       PolicyTracker.  ECC approves framework for wireless broadband in the 3.4 and 3.8 GHz bands. Read more… (subscription is required)

g)      Cullen International.  The RSPG believes that Licensed Shared Access (LSA) will not spell the end of spectrum scarcity but it will be a valuable tool for regulators in situations where… Read more… (subscription is required)

h)     PolicyTracker. A "third phase" of spectrum policy begins.  The third phase is characterised by more… Read more… (subscription is required)

 

3. NGA / Broadband

a)      European Commission.  The European Commission has formally requested the Austrian telecoms regulator (TKK) to withdraw or amend its proposal for regulating broadband wholesale access, including the fees which the dominant operator, A1TA, can charge other operators who want to sell broadband services based on A1TA's network. Read more…

b)     Advanced Television.  According to BT Group, net FTTx additions for external providers increased by more than 300 per cent during in the three months to end September 2013. Read more…

c)      MSN Money.  Europe's top telecoms regulator Neelie Kroes said she would stick to her position in a conflict with Italy over its plan to lower the wholesale... Read more…

 

4. Internet

a)      IT News.  Sending data in plain text just doesn't cut it in an age of abundant hack attacks and mass metadata collection. Some of the biggest names on the Web--Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc.--have already … Read more…

 

5. TV & Radio

a)      Broadband TV News.  With a plethora of devices being used to consume audiovisual content policymakers should recognise that fragmentation represents competition and consumer choice, not a lack of interoperability, and adopt a new starting point for policy analysis.  Read more…

b)     Broadband TV News.  The European Commission is close to launching a widespread antitrust probe into the sale of rights to exclusive TV content including films and sporting events. Read more…

 

6. ICT

a)      European Commission (CORDIS).  FP7 projects are not all about concrete research and new technologies. Some initiatives - equally important - aim to forge bonds between scientific communities, whether from different disciplines or different regions. The OPENCHINAICT project is one example.  Read more…

 

7. Post

a)      Post & Parcel.  The European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against Germany for failing to recover enough “incompatible” state aid from Deutsche Post last year. Read more…

b)     Post & Parcel.  Austrian Post is investing EUR 4m to boost the convenience factor within its delivery options for customers unable to be at home to receive mail and packages.  Read more…

c)      Post & Parcel.  Royal Mail has made its delivery notification feature free of charge as standard on its Special Delivery Guaranteed and Tracked services.  Read more…

 

International Meetings

During this period, our Chief of External Relations attended a meeting organised by EMERG in Athens, whilst our manager on External Relations attended the ERGP Plenary Meeting in Luxembourg.

 

Publications

1. TENDER  for the provision of legal services to the MCA:  Sealed tenders will be received up to 1200hrs on 13th January 2014. Interested bidders are invited to contact the Procurement Officer via e-mail on tenders@mca.org.mt or call on 2133 6840  for further information or clarifications by not later than the 29th December 2013.The MCA reserves the right of refusing even the most economically advantageous offer. To view tender click here http://www.mca.org.mt/content/tender-provision-legal-services-mca

Events

1. eBusiness Awards 2013: The MCA hosted its 3rd edition of the eBusiness Awards on Wednesday 27th November 2013 at the Phonecia Hotel in Floriana. During this event, 8 local enterprises were recognised for their innovative use of ICT in business.  An award was also given to an MBA student Anne Marie Bajada for her dissertation in the field of eBusiness. To see who won an award and for more information on this event, click here http://www.mca.org.mt/notices-and-announcements/12-local-enterprises-recognised-innovative-use-ict-business or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Malta Communications Authority

 

Legal Update

1.  Lawsuit versus Sesco Investments Ltd. This case relates to proceedings initiated by MCA to collect outstanding general authorisation dues. Sesco is contesting that it does not require a general authorisation to provide the VoIP – card calling services that it provides. In the last sitting, Sesco continued to give evidence concluding its evidence. The case is adjourned for MCA’s evidence.
2. Lawsuit versus Melitanet Ltd whereby MCA is seeking the recovery of outstanding general authorisation dues from Melitanet. The case was adjourned to enable Melitanet to submit its evidence.
3. Constitutional court proceedings by Vodafone and GO contesting a 2005 MCA Directive establishing the contribution that these had to make towards the cost of the Legal Interpret system continued. The case now stands adjourned for the final written submissions of all parties.
4. In the appeal by Global Parcels Limited (GPL) before the Administrative Review Tribunal , whereby GPL are contesting a regulatory decision requiring GPL to apply for a individual licence. This case stands adjourned for MCA’s response and for the final oral submissions of the parties.