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Network
During 2007 we developed new 10Gbps capacity
rings linking Lefkosia (Nicosia),
Lemesos (Limassol)
and Pafos using SDH
technology, enabling the network to serve any
customers’ needs for high capacity connections.
We implemented the first phase of the project
with the installation and activation of an IP
Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and completed work
for the provision of the Broadband Telephony
service to broadband subscribers. We expanded
CYTA’s packet switched IP/MPLS, softswitch and
IMS networks with the aim of providing fast
quality carrier-preselection and broadband
telephony services to subscribers of the
subsidiary company CYTA Hellas SA
in Greece.
We reached agreement on the direct exchange of
mutual Internet traffic by CYTANET and Greek
Internet Service Providers with the aim of
improving the quality of service by giving our
customers faster access to Greek content.
Moreover, in 2007 we completed work on expanding
the Safe Internet infrastructure to cover
primary and private schools. We also continued
to take measures to ensure data security and to
prevent and stamp out telecommunications fraud.
The miVision service continued to flourish in
2007 with the continuous development of the IPTV
infrastructure for the digital transmission of
television programmes via the broadband network.
Today some 80% of telephone connections can
access miVision and 93% the i-choice service.
In the framework of CYTA’s efforts to remain at
the cutting edge of technology and innovation,
we created the Technology Intelligence
Management which aims at the systematic
monitoring of technological developments in the
telecommunications sector and the forwarding of
all relevant information to CYTA. Furthermore,
our shareholding in the research organisation
EURESCOM, together with our active involvement
in the activities of the Research Promotion
Foundation in Cyprus, strengthened CYTA’s
Research and Development sector.
Finally, construction was completed on the
MINERVA independent submarine cable subsystem
between Cyprus and Italy, with further
international extensions to Western Europe and
the US.
Central Telecommunications Network Management
System
In order to further improve network management
processes and to maximise the savings that arise
from activity concentration, CYTA has created a
unified Operations Centre for all the
Organisation’s networks. This centre is
temporarily based in the Lykavitos building
until its new home in the Lakatamia building is
ready.
Value added Services
In 2007, with the aim of expanding the range of
high quality and reliable electronic
communications services and by adding value to
our Organisation’s infrastructure and services,
we completed a number of important development
projects.
Regarding the miVision
service which continued to flourish in 2007,
there was continuous development of the IPTV
infrastructure for the digital transmission of
television programmes via the broadband network.
With the primary aim of enhancing the quality of
services to customers, we completed the
installation of equipment for the monitoring of
the quality of the digital signal.
During the year under review we also completed
the installation of a new
Televoting System with the aim of
providing new, innovative services. The new
system enables customers to organise and hold
competitions with direct voting as well as a
broad range of other services such as charity
fundraisers, public opinion and market surveys
and TV games. Voting can be by phone or text
message, while the results are counted and
presented in real time.
The Smart Card Platform
was also upgraded to ensure the smooth operation
of the Call Me Back, Money Transfer, Top-Up and
Twin SIM mobile telephone services.
The Voicemail System
was expanded to support additional users. We
also upgraded the system’s potential to support
new facilities that will soon be offered to
customers.
In 2007 work was completed on the expansion of
the Safe Internet
infrastructure to cover public and private
schools. This service enables the filtering of
Internet content to which children have access
and of the computer applications that they use.
Our Organisation also obtained, installed and
operated specialised telecommunications systems
such as Push to Talk
for business customers.
Transport
Network
WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) and SDH
(Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) technologies
constitute the backbone of the transport
network, via which we provide our customers with
a broad range of high quality, reliable
services. In 2007, we developed via SDH
technology new 10Gbps rings linking Lefkosia
(Nicosia), Lemesos (Limassol) and Pafos, to
enable the network to respond to any customers’
needs for high-capacity connections. At the same
time we upgraded the KYNIRAS submarine cable
system with WDM technology, initially providing
three wavelengths of 10Gbps each, two of which
serve the MINERVA submarine cable system and one
the national transport network.
We also proceeded to upgrade the infrastructure
in our satellite earth stations in order to
satisfy international customer needs.
Core Networks
In the framework of the provision of convergence
services for fixed and mobile communications, we
implemented the first phase of the project with
the installation and activation of an IP
Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and completed work
for the provision of the Broadband Telephony
service to broadband subscribers. We drew up a
detailed timetable and began work on the second
phase of the convergence project.
During the year under review we completed the
project to transform the Organisation’s
international transmission network by moving
international telephony functionality to the
softswitch network with the aim of providing
high quality international communications. We
also started work on the interconnection of the
softswitch network with networks of foreign
telecommunications organisations via the Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP) with the aim of
distributing international telephone calls via
IP.
We expanded CYTA’s packet switched IP/MPLS,
softswitch and IMS networks with the aim of
providing fast quality carrier-preselection and
broadband telephony services to subscribers of
the subsidiary company CYTA Hellas SA
in Greece.
We extended the range of the backbone IP/MPLS
network with the addition of network and
aggregation nodes and integrated it with
CYTANET’s IP network for the direct
communication of services such as Virtual
Private Networks (VPNs) to business customers.
We also extended the broadband network through
the installation of broadband remote access in
order to serve a greater number of i-choice
customers.
We reached agreement on the direct exchange of
mutual Internet traffic by CYTANET and Greek
Internet Service Providers with the aim of
improving the quality of service by giving our
customers faster access to Greek content.
Access Network
In 2007 we continued to develop and upgrade the
broadband access network with ADSL technology.
Specifically, we continued with the following:
|
1) |
| a) |
the
installation of outdoor DSLAM (Digital
Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer)
equipment at a distance from telephone
exchanges and nearer customer premises,
giving more customers fast Internet
access and interactive television
broadband services. |
| b) |
the installation of additional indoor
DSLAM equipment in urban and rural
telephone exchanges in response to
customer needs. |
| c) |
increasing coverage: 80% of telephone
connections can now access miVision and
93% the i-choice service. |
|
|
2) |
The installation of additional indoor DSLAM
equipment in urban and rural telephone
exchanges to cover customers’ needs. |
|
3) |
The upgrading of DSLAM software to enable
the support of upgraded broadband services. |
|
4) |
The installation of optical fibre on
customer premises (FTTP) on a pilot project
basis. The first phase was completed and
since 1 November 2007 services have been
provided to Archangelos via the GPON system.
The network is operating smoothly and the
number of calls to report faults is
negligible. |
At the same time, we further developed our
optical network to enable the connection of
remote units of DSLAM equipment to CYTA’s
network.
By the end of 2007 we had completed 80% of the
project to implement a cable pressurisation and
monitoring system in rural areas. This system
leads to a drastic reduction in the number of
faults and improvements to the electrical
characteristics of the copper lines which, in
turn, means reduced costs and improved network
quality for the provision of telephone and
broadband services.
 Technology
Intelligence
In 2007 we set up the Technology Intelligence
Management Department with the aim of
systematically monitoring technological
developments in the telecommunications sector
and forwarding all relevant information to CYTA
to ensure that strategic decisions on the
adoption and introduction of new technologies
are taken in the best possible circumstances.
To achieve this aim, we have developed an online
data gathering and assessment system by which
around 60 of the most reliable information
resources are monitored on a daily basis. From
these, some 300 news items are automatically
generated every day and those of interest to
CYTA are selected. The selected items are then
classified according to their content and
entered into CYTA’s Competitive and Technology
Intelligence System, from where they are
distributed to members of staff.
New Technologies
New technologies and
trends are monitored systematically and,
wherever necessary, studies are carried out on
these technologies and their potential for
implementation by CYTA. The results of these
studies can lead to network architecture
reengineering and the revision of the
Organisation’s development plan. The network
design is always carried out with the aim of
optimising the network capability and resources
and the adoption of new technologies that will
enable the introduction of innovative services.
Research and Development
In the Research and Development sector, CYTA is
a shareholder in EURESCOM, an organisation that
deals exclusively with research programmes in
the telecommunications sector. It is also a
founder and active board member of the Cyprus
Research Academic Network, which supports the
creation and management of a network for the
provision of high quality services, aiming at
the promotion, development and support of
research and academic activities in Cyprus.
In 2007, CYTA participated in two research
projects funded by the Research Promotion
Foundation, VIDEO and LOCATE. The first deals
with the distribution of video services via
GPRS/UMTS and the second with algorithms for the
provision of location-based services.
Telecommunications Fraud/Data and Network
Security
We consider that the security of our networks
and products is integrally linked to quality and
together they give our Organisation a
competitive edge. CYTA ensures that its
personnel, customers and associates are
regularly and adequately informed with the
objective of raising awareness and vigilance
concerning telecommunications fraud and
information security.
Information and Network
Security
Our Organisation is active in matters of
information security via the implementation of
specific measures and processes such as regular
security reviews and penetration tests, physical
security/guarding and the monitoring of online
access.
On issues of information security and the
protection of personal data, we follow a
holistic approach based on risk assessment
methodologies and international standards. The
ISO27001 (ISMS) certification process for
selected services/networks is already under way.
At a corporate level, with the aim of ensuring
the security of all our core activities, an
Information Security Management System has been
set up with the appointment of an information
security officer, information security liaisons
in all departments of CYTA, an Executive
Advisory Committee, etc.
 Fighting
Telecommunications Fraud
We also take measures to prevent and stamp out
telecommunications fraud, a phenomenon that is
assuming increasingly worrying dimensions all
over the world.
For the detection and investigation of instances
of fraud against CYTA and its customers, a
specialist team using dedicated technology works
in conjunction with various services within and
outside the Organisation.
International Systems
In 2007, a total of six international submarine
optical fibre cable systems landing in Cyprus
were in operation:
• SEA-ME-WE 3 (Far East,
Australia, Asia, Middle East, Europe)
• MED NAUTILUS/LEV/MINERVA
(Italy, Israel, Greece)
• ÁPHRODITE 2 (Greece)
• CIOS (Israel)
• CADMOS (Lebanon)
• UGARIT (Syria)
During the year, construction work was completed
on MINERVA, an independent submarine cable
subsystem between Cyprus and Italy, with further
international extensions to Western Europe and
the US. Upgrading and modification work on the
CADMOS and UGARIT cable systems was also
undertaken to improve reliability and quality
and to satisfy increased telecommunications
requirements in the broader Eastern
Mediterranean region.
CYTA’s international systems are completed by 20
satellite earth stations providing access to
major satellite systems such as Intelsat,
Eutelsat, AsiaSat, SES Global, RSCC and Arabsat,
which ensure global connectivity.
Through its participation in the above systems
as well as in other global and regional
submarine cable systems, CYTA has already
established its strategic role in the region,
transforming Cyprus into a superb
telecommunications hub in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
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