MITA has been acting as the Government's Internet Service Provider (ISP) since the mid-nineties, procuring Internet bandwidth and routing services from local carriers and repackaging it with value-added services, such as web filters, prior to providing it to public service users and state school students.
Apart from enhancing the quality of its bandwidth, through this agreement, MITA will be doubling the internet bandwidth currently provided to departments and schools. MITA offers internet services to approximately 16,500 public service users and more than 30,000 students across all state schools.
Read more: Malta: Bandwidth to double in state schools and departments
Malta ranks third, behind Iceland, at 86.7 per cent, and Korea, at 95.9 per cent, in a survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The Communications Ministry welcomed the figures, saying the increase in the take-up of broadband was the most significant product of the government’s initiatives to narrow the digital divide.
Mr Madelin delivered a presentation about the digital agenda during a business breakfast organised by the European Union representation in Malta.
The European Commission adopted the ‘Digital Agenda for Europe’ last May by unveiling a detailed action plan aimed to improve the competitiveness of the ICT industry by infusing a real EU-wide single market for online products and services.
The survey says that Malta ranks third, behind Iceland at 86.7% and Korea at 95.9%.
Between June 2009 and June 2010 broadband subscriptions in Malta surged by an unprecedented 10.2% - the largest jump recorded over the years, according to figures compiled by the NSO.
Read more: Malta among leaders in Broadband take-up in homes