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The liberalisation of the telecommunications sector appears to be one of those issues that continues to feature prominently in the media, however, very little, if anything, is done to reach a lasting solution.
Transport and Telecommunications Minister Censu Galea was reported as saying earlier this week that changes in the local telecoms sector would soon take place. He spoke of the need to end Maltacom's monopoly, adding that these changes would provide a wider range of job opportunities.
Minister Galea said quick decisions had to be taken in the best interest of those working in the telecommunications industry and it was "totally unrealistic to expect progress to be put to a standstill".
Indeed, but experience has also taught us that change does not come about so easily in this country, especially when such "changes" involve dismantling monopolies and stepping over those whose can influence the market.
We ask: what decisions have to be taken? And why only 'in the interest of' those working in the telecommunications industry? What about the thousands of Internet users, who are longing to see the introduction of better services? What about those who sometimes have to pay exorbitant fees every month to use a mobile phone?
The public does not expect the government to liberalise the sector over-night. But neither does it expect the government to find excuses to postpone steps that must be taken.
One still fails to understand how the regulator, despite calls to do something, did not approve Vodafone's request to lower tariffs or Maltacom's bid to enter the mobile sector as well as its planned introduction of ISDN.
The minister has repeatedly said that an adequate regulatory framework is required. We all know that the regulator, with all due respect, is unable to fulfil this role. Minister Galea said that if necessary, foreign expertise will be brought in. If it is obvious that there is no one in Malta to do the job, why wait any longer? Go ahead, get someone from abroad and do what has to be done!
The regulator is supposed to 'defend' the interests of the consumer. Thus if the consumer is 'begging' for ISDN, lower mobile phone tariffs and cable Internet, why does he take a stand that is baffling to the man in the street?
Ironically, Maltacom this week announced that it will be testing ADSL on a pilot basis within the coming months, with its full launch expected in autumn. Will the pricing structure for this new service take months before it is approved? Or will companies simply lay down their plans, hoping that one fine day these will be approved?
When one examines the arguments put forward by all the players involved in this delicate sector, it is clear that each one is right in some way. They are, after all, defending their interests but what about those of their clients? It appears that both the government and those working in the telecommunications sector fail to realise that the public creates as well as destroys a market environment.
With matters being as they are, the public has little or no say. But as one reader rightly said in a letter to our Sunday newspaper: "The people do not forget that easily..."
The wardens are coming
As from next month, 77 licensed local wardens will enter service in various localities, patrolling the streets and enforcing the law. This is another initiative undertaken by the government, in particular the Ministry for Justice and Local Councils, to give local councils a greater say in the running of their town.
The smartly-uniformed wardens carrying a hand-held computer will be responsible for issuing traffic and litter fines but their role goes beyond simply giving out tickets.
In a way, they symbolise a change in mentality, a show of force - not in a negative sense yet rather showing the public that yes, every one of us is accountable and no one is above the law.
One must wait and see how the public will react to the presence of wardens in their locality, even more so when they are at the receiving end of a fine. We hope that the public does not make life difficult for these men and women. In turn, it is the duty of those agencies employing the wardens to ensure that their safety is guaranteed. We augur this will be a successful initiative.
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