INTERCONNECTION

The Telecommunications (Regulation) Act defines interconnection as the physical and logical linking of telecommunications systems used by the same or a different organisation in order to allow users of one of organisation to communicate with users of the same or another organisation or to access services provided by another organisation. Such service may be provided by the parties involved or by other parties who have access to the system. The Act requires the MCA to encourage and secure adequate interconnection in the interests of all users and to exercise its responsibility in a way that provides maximum economic efficiency and gives maximum benefit to users.

The Telecommunications Services (General) Regulations state that an operator has the right and obligation to negotiate interconnection agreements with other operators of public telecommunications services. The rights and obligations of operators licensed outside Malta with respect to interconnection in Malta is regulated by the MCA in accordance with the international obligations of Malta. The Regulations further stipulate that interconnection agreements are private contracts between operators but require a copy of every interconnection contract to be provided to the MCA by each party to the contract within fifteen days from coming into force of the contract. Operators should indicate to the MCA which provisions of the contract are to be kept confidential insofar as they contain information on the commercial strategy of any of the operators. However it is up to the MCA to decide what information has a confidential character for this purpose.

An operator requesting interconnection from another operator must notify the latter by registered letter, indicating at least the date to start the commercial service of interconnection and details about the interconnection services required.