21 - 27 December 2000

Guaranteed Internet access

After two weeks of haggling, the dispute between the Internet Service Providers Action Committee and Melita Cable’s subsidiary Video On Line reached its expected climax – a legal notice was published that effectively did not recognise the backbone they set up on 5 December.
However, the new Internet Exchange Regulations 2000 go beyond simply admonishing the ISPs and annulling their interconnection agreement. For the first time, one may say, the government has turned its attention to the consumer. The regulations published on Tuesday guarantee that at no time and for no reason whatsoever can any ISP or Telecommunications Transport Provider suspend or cause undue delay to data traffic. For this step alone, the government and the Office of the Regulator must be commended. They have paid great attention not only to the details of the dispute between the ISPs and VOL, but more importantly that have taken into consideration the negative impact the dispute has had on all Internet and e-mail users. As this newspaper said last week this dispute affected every single Internet user in Malta and not solely VOL or MITTS. And the government has recognised this fact.
There are other lessons to be learnt. First and foremost, no one has the right to act in a manner that causes undue hardship or connectivity problems just because one party has a dispute with another ISP. All ISPs are there to provide a service, such service which is paid for by their subscribers. Therefore, as a subscriber, it is one’s right to have access to the Internet at all times and the new regulations make this very clear.
“Where an Internet Service Provider processes or stores computer data on a computer system in a manner configured or intended for public access through a computer system, the Internet Service Provider shall ensure that such public access is not provided in a discriminatory manner and it shall in particular ensure that the technical means through which such access is made are not interfered with in a manner that denies, unduly delays or otherwise hinders such access to users of other Internet Service Providers.”
In all fairness, the regulations also give ISPs the right to appeal against any decision taken by regulator. Sources close to the ISPs told The Malta Independent earlier this week that they are considering legal action. However, we ask, are the ISPs ready to do battle again?
They may be surprised to find that they have lost more than they expected to gain by setting up another backbone. Internet users are more than aware of what has happened over the past days. They may not know all the technical details but they sure know where to go for a decent and worthwhile Internet service. Have the ISPs really studied the possible repercussions of their action?
The Office of the Regulator also deserves credit for solving the impasse. The new regulations are well thought out however we feel that some problems could have been avoided if the issue was dealt in a shorter time-frame.

Malta’s film industry

One of the most lucrative businesses in the world is that of the film industry. Billions of dollars are spent every year as film after film is churned out from the major film studios.
Our tiny island has had its fair share of success in the film industry with numerous top films to its credit, namely Midnight Express, Cutthroat Island (which as a film did not do that well) and more recently U-571 and Gladiator. While these films have helped to generate a considerable amount of money for the local economy, there is still much to be done before the local industry can create wealth on a regular basis.
The setting up of the National Film Commission was a step in the right direction however, as is usually the case, the funds necessary to implement what has to be done to attract foreign film-makers have never materialised.
Earlier this month, the government promised to introduce incentive schemes to bring foreign film-makers to Malta, and there is even a possibility that the local film industry could also be included in the draft Business Promotion Act which is expected to be discussed in Parliament next month.
Last week, Sylvie Forbin, an audiovisual expert said that Malta’s film industry had not developed enough in terms of programmes but the future looked bright. She also said that Malta would be able to benefit from the euro 400m set aside by the European Commission’s media programme. This is encouraging. Just as Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Cyprus and Bulgaria have benefited from such funds, there is no reason why Malta should not benefit as well.
Malta is expected to begin negotiations to join the programme next year and these will last for approximately 12 months. Basing one’s arguments on Malta’s past and recent success in the film industry, Malta should have enough clout and credentials to receive as much funds as possible.