Cyta: A telecommunications centre of excellence

Cyta outlines how its advanced telecommunications infrastructure is transforming the organisation into a Telecommunications, Informatics, Multimedia, Entertainment, Security provider

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Cyprus’ telecommunications infrastructure is one of the most developed in the Eastern Mediterranean region thanks to the Cyta (Cyprus Telecommunications Authority) network, which is considered to be amongst the most technologically advanced in Europe.

Cyta is a semi-government organisation that currently employs around 2,500 people. It provides a broad range of telecommunication services and facilities which aim to satisfy the ever-increasing needs of its customers through voice and data applications in fixed and mobile telephony. More over, Cyta is providing a range of broadband services such as fast internet access, internet protocol television (IPTV) and convergent products.

Cyta was the first organisation in Cyprus to join the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and continues to be the only one to have been awarded a five-star “Recognised for Excellence” ranking by the Foundation. It is also the largest Cypriot organisation in the state sector and was the first to obtain ISO 9001:2000 quality certification. In the context of its corporate social responsibility, Cyta actively supports various sectors of the society such as public health, education, culture, sport, the environment and research & development.

Competition, international and local, has now become an integral part of the Cyprus telecommunications market and Cyta faces it across virtually its entire range of services. The presence of competitors keeps the Organisation vigilant and gives it the chance to improve constantly. Cyta’s strategy is gradually transforming the organisation into a TIMES (Telecommunications, Informatics, Multimedia, Entertainment, Security) provider with the aim of providing high quality total solutions to its customers. One important application of this strategy concerns the so-called ‘quadruple play’ services which simultaneously bring together voice, fast Internet, video/television and converged mobile and fixed telephony services.

Taking advantage of the island’s privileged geographical location at the crossroads of three continents, Cyta through Cytaglobal, its International Commercial Services Division, has developed an extensive submarine optical fibre cable network, which connects Cyprus with neighbouring countries and thereafter with the rest of the world. Cytaglobal participates in various regional and global cable systems such as the SEA-ME-WE 3, which links Western Europe and South Eastern Asia via the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and the MED NAUTILUS system which connects the Mediterranean with Western Europe and beyond. Cyta’s hub was further enhanced with its recent participation in the MINERVA cable subsystem, the first submersible ring, connecting Cyprus and Europe directly. In parallel, Cyta also operates an extensive network of satellite earth stations, which are linked to the Intelsat, Eutelsat and Arabsat satellite systems as well as to Intersputnik, SES and AsiaSat.

Furthermore, Cyta has intensified its efforts aimed at expanding its operations abroad through wholly-owned subsidiary companies, especially in countries with significant Cypriot communities, such as Greece and the UK. In October 2008, Cyta expanded its operations in Greece, by offering broadband internet and fixed telephony services in specific areas of the country, with plans for further expansion in the future. Taking into consideration the liberalisation of the telecommunications market in Cyprus as well as Cyta’s significant investment in international cable systems, the strategy of entering new markets will provide additional sources of income for Cyta.

Cyta has already proven that is proactive and is willing to respond to market and legislation changes in order to take full advantage of Cyprus’ accession to the European Union. Cyprus has now become Europe’s furthermost border in the Eastern Mediterranean, thus opening new horizons for Cyta and Cytaglobal, which aim to become the Telecommunications Bridge between East and West.

For more information please visit:
www.cyta.com.cy
www.cytaglobal.com