Melita has invested €10 million in a new, state-of-the-art submarine fibre optic cable, connecting Malta to Sicily and the rest of the world. Almost 100km in length, the cable will provide increased capacity for international connectivity, improved redundancy and reliability, a superior performance and enhanced quality of service.

Project details were announced by Mr. Stephen Wright, Melita's Chief Operations Officer, during a visit on board the survey ship recently in the presence of Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Dr. Austin Gatt and Mr. Simon Montanaro, Melita's Head of Networks.

"Broadband technologies have revolutionised our lifestyles - the way we communicate, work, study, relax and entertain ourselves. Melita requires extensive international connectivity to continue providing the best experience to its customers, in an affordable and reliable manner," Mr Wright explained.

"Melita's state-of-the-art submarine fibre optic cable will contribute towards achieving the Government's aim of ensuring adequate international connectivity," he added.

"We are confident that this investment will provide better long-term value for our customers, both corporate and domestic, as well as new business opportunities for the Company. Specifically, this state-of-the-art link will enable us to develop our wholesale and corporate business."

"As our shareholders continue to support Melita in its efforts to deliver better value to its customers, our business development plan will require more investment in infrastructure and in additional human resources. This year, we have created almost 90 new employment opportunities within our Company. Our latest-generation mobile network will soon hit the market, enabling Melita to offer even better value for its customers, through fully integrated home entertainment and communication packages, modelled to offer the best content in entertainment, the fastest speeds and the most affordable rates," Mr Wright said.

The application of technology "As technology continues to push convergence in existing and new media, internet speeds and reliability factors are bound to become even more critical as our customers seek to absorb the full benefits of new applications," Mr Wright explained.

"Corporate and consumer customers are increasingly becoming more and more dependent on technology. Leveraging technology is our core business and as the number 1 provider of broadband services in the Maltese Islands, Melita is committed to continue delivering the best experience to suit the lifestyles of our customers and their families," he added.

Currently, Melita has over 50,000 customers subscribed to its broadband internet service. Melita is the only broadband provider to offer internet speeds of up to 30Mbits.

The initial phases of the project Following an international tendering process, Melita has entrusted the project to a consortium formed by NSW and Italtel Group. The ultimate objective of the contract provides for the laying of a high capacity fibre optic cable in a trench on land and in the seabed, between two terminal stations in Malta and Sicily.

Part of the initial phase of the project is to carry out a detailed survey of the seabed to determine the route along which the cable will be laid/buried and what obstacles (ex. cable crossings) need to be negotiated. The geographic survey of the seabed makes use of specialised equipment and sophisticated survey ships to determine the best route between the two landing points.

Geographical and technical surveys have already started and are expected to last a few months. Melita is planning to have the fibre optic cable commissioned and operational within one year.

Background information about the consortium partners

NSW is a leading manufacturer of communications, submarine, overhead, power and offshore cables as well as engineering plastics and environmental products. Since 2007, NSW is part of the General Cable Corporation which is one of the world's leading cable producers with a turnover of US$ 6 billion and 12,000 employees.

The ItalTel Group designs, develops and implements next generation multiservice integrated network systems, using state-of-the-art products and a system integration capacity that guarantees reliable infrastructures, open to networking and flexible in terms of technology development. These solutions are intended for telecommunications operators (fixed and mobile), Internet Service Providers, large enterprises and the public sector. In 2007, ItalTel's turnover amounted to €543.4 million and the company currently employs around 2,300 people.