10 - 16 February 2000

First local Internet portal launched

by David Kelleher

Malta's first Internet portal - a website featuring news, sports, business, entertainment and streaming radio - was launched on Tuesday by Terranet Ltd, a subsidiary of Maltacom plc as part of the company's continuing brand strategy.

The Internet portal - www.di-ve.com - goes beyond the aims of a normal website in that it provides viewers with up-to-date information covering a wide range of issues on a daily basis besides allowing users to actively make use of the site.

Speaking at the launch, Terranet managing director Keith Fearne said the portal forms part of the company's brand strategy that includes Internet connectivity to the home, corporate Internet and e-commerce and now, digital interactive content.

"The aim of a portal is to attract users to visit the site on a regular basis. The only means to do so is to provide updated information, the option to customise the information to suit one's needs and other services such as free e-mail," Mr Fearne said.

The portal is very similar to other portals such as yahoo and Altavista, however all the content is locally based. It will include 10 electronic magazines or e-zines on current affairs, sports, business, entertainment, food and drink, fashion, property, motoring and also job vacancies. The site will also include a What's On guide on local events.

"The portal will have a number of weblinks that will be increased as the site becomes more popular. Users will also be able to submit their own favourites as well," Kurt Sansone, editorial executive at Terranet said.

The content for the portal is being provided in partnership between di-ve.com and a number of content providers including The Malta Independent and The Malta Independent on Sunday, PBS, Anton B. Dougall, Grands Real Estates, Azzopardi Stockbrokers, Eden Century Cinema and Commercial services bureau.

"Over the coming months new partnerships will be announced to cover new areas of content," Mr Fearne said.

Interactivity is being given a lot of importance with users being able to obtain a free e-mail address at yourname@di-ve.com. The portal will also have on-line polls, a chat site and forums for discussion.

Various on-line events are being organised as part of the launch. An Internet quiz, held over four weeks, is being organised with a number of prizes including a multimedia personal computer.

Talk show host Joe Grima returns with the first Internet talk show. This will be in live audio/streaming format and the first programme will be on Tuesday 15 February at 7pm. Listeners will be able to take part and send in their comments or questions by email.

For the first time ever, Freddie Portelli will be singing live on the Internet. Freddie will be singing live from Ta' Cassia on Monday 21 February at 9.30pm and fans will be able to down his songs as well.

In his address, Maltacom chairman Maurice Zarb Adami said: "With the convergence of traditional media with telecommunications as the perfect vehicle for e-commerce, content is going to be a key differentiator towards building and retaining a customer base."

He added that Maltacom intends to actively take part in this business through its subsidiary, Terranet.