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Network
In 2008, we successfully completed the upgrade
to
the IPTV platform for the Cytavision service
and the introduction of a new Navigation
Area
with a plethora of new, innovative facilities
such as Time Shifted TV and Caller ID.
We developed the infrastructure for Cytanet Live
Streaming, via which live and recorded matches,
mainly of Cyprus football, are transmitted
abroad.
At the same time, we proceeded with significant
upgrades to the mobile telephony networks,
installing HSPA (High Speed Packet Access)
technology on the 3G network for wireless
broadband services such as Mobile Broadband.
Population coverage of the GSM network reached
99% and geographical coverage 96% of the
government-held areas of Cyprus.
We also extended and upgraded the broadband
access network in both urban and rural areas
with ADSL technology. In this way we can now
provide more customers with access to fast
Internet and interactive television.
Finally, through our participation in
international submarine fibre optic cable
systems, seven of which land at Cyta cable
stations in Cyprus, and our access to the main
satellite systems, we have strengthened our
strategic and regulatory role in the broader
region, making Cyprus a superb
telecommunications hub in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
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 2008, with the aim of expanding our
range of
high quality and reliable electronic
communication services,
we completed a number of important
development projects.
Regarding Cytavision, we successfully completed
the upgrade to the IPTV platform for the
Cytavision service and the introduction of a new
Navigation Area offering
a plethora of new,
innovative facilities such as Time Shifted TV
and Caller ID.
Moreover, we signed a new agreement for the
supply of set-top boxes with improved
capabilities including High Definition (HD) TV
transmission. At the same time the IPTV
infrastructure was expanded to support the
digital transmission of more channels, including
HD channels.
During the year under review, we launched
Cytanet Live Streaming, an Internet based
service,
via which live and
recorded matches, mainly of the Cyprus football
league,
are webcasted, thus enabling Cypriots
living or travelling abroad to "get closer".
With the aim of improving the availability and
reliability of mobile telephony services and
SMS in particular,
we completed the installation of
a new SMSC system with geographical backup for
uninterrupted service. We also upgraded the MMSC
system that is used for
sending multimedia
messages (MMS).
In 2008 we completed infrastructure work
enabling the provision of Safe Internet to home
customers of Cyta Hellas. At the same time, the
infrastructure in Cyprus was expanded for the
provision of safe Internet
to SMEs. This public
service enables Internet content filtering and
the placing of restrictions on computer
applications that can communicate on
the
Internet.
Transmission
Network
In 2008 we continued to develop the SDH and WDM
networks so that the transmission network can
respond to any network and customer requirements
for high-capacity connections. For the first
time, we installed high-capacity radio links
(300Mbps) with a Gigabit Ethernet interface to
connect equipment for the provision of broadband
products in areas without fibre optic cables.
Core Networks
We upgraded the core mobile telephony network to
support High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)
data services at transmission speeds of up to
4Mbps and new services such as Anonymous Call
Rejection.
In the framework of the provision of convergence
services for fixed and mobile communications, we
introduced technology for the provision of
Broadband Telephony to customers. We completed
work on the 2nd phase of the project with an
upgrade to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)
equipment and began work on the provision of the
IP Centrex service, which is aimed at business
customers.
During the year under review, work began on
transferring international telephony
functionality to the softswitch network in order
to provide high quality international
communications. Furthermore, work was completed
to connect the softswitch network to the
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 for the fast
provision of quality Internet access services,
carrier-preselection and broadband telephony
services to customers of the subsidiary company
Cyta Hellas in Greece.
At the same time, we continued to expand the
core IP network to provide support for DSLAM/MSAN
in new areas and for Ethernet business products.
The DSL Access and Cytanet network was upgraded
to enable the doubling of speeds for the
DSL Access
Home/NetRunner Home and DSL Access Office/ÍetRunner
Office services.
We signed agreements and completed additional
connections with Internet Service Providers in
Greece for the direct exchange of mutual
Internet traffic with Cytanet with the aim of
improving the quality of service by giving our
customers faster access to Greek content.
Access Network
Radio
Access Network
The development of the radio
access
network for mobile telephony continued at a
slow
pace
during
and with considerable difficulty due
to regulatory lacunae regarding the
siting of
base stations and problems with
securing agreements
for new sites. As a result, the net increase
in the number of base stations was restricted to
1,83%. Nonetheless, we went ahead with
major
upgrades to the mobile telephony
network
infrastructure
with the aim of increasing capacity and
optimising
efficiency by introducing High Speed
Packet Access (HSPA) technology to the 3G
network in order to provide wireless broadband
services,
such as Mobile Broadband.
Population coverage of the GSM network exceeded
99% while geographical coverage reached 96% of
the government-held areas of Cyprus. The
corresponding coverage for the 3G/HSPA network
was 85% and 50% respectively.
In 2008 we again
completed
two
rounds
of
electromagnetic field
measurements
at every Cyta base
station in the context of fulfilling the
conditions under which licenses
were issued for
the operation of mobile telephony networks. The
results of the
measurements were in par with
those
obtained in 2007, while the highest
figures
recorded in areas where mobile telephony
equipment is installed did not exceed 2% of the
maximum acceptable exposure levels determined by
law.
At the same time, we continued to install new
WiFi Hot Spots, the number of which increased
from 48
(in 2007) to 88, and we signed
agreements with Municipalities for the
development of large-scale WiFi networks in
specific areas in need of revival and where
interest has been shown in this.
Wired Access Network
In 2008 we continued to develop and upgrade the
wired access network using Asynchronous Digital
Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology.
Specifically, we continued work on:
1. a) The installation of outdoor MSANs in areas
at some distance from a telephone exchange and
closer to customers’ premises, thereby enabling
more customers to have access to broadband
services such as fast Internet and interactive
television.
b) The installation of outdoor MSANs in a number
of rural exchanges, thus providing residents of
these areas with broadband access (DSL Access
êáé Cytavision).
c) Increasing coverage: today, 92% of telephone
connections can receive Cytavision and 95% can
have DSL Access.
2. The installation of additional outdoor MSANs
in urban and rural telephone exchanges so as to
respond to customer requirements.
3. The upgrading of MSAN software to support
upgraded broadband services and the Frequency
Management Plan.
4. The installation of
the Access Network Frequency Plan
and its connection to IT systems for the
automatic activation of Broadband Telephony
customers.
The Point-to-Multipoint project in the
Archangelos area of Lefkosia (Nicosia)
is operating
smoothly with a total of 150 customers and the
prospect of increasing this number to 450.
For the Point-to-Point technology project,
installation of the passive equipment has been
completed.
At the same time we further developed our
optical network so as to enable the connection
of the isolated MSANs to the rest of the Cyta
network.
By the end of 2008, we had completed 80% of the
project to implement a cable pressurisation and
monitoring system in rural areas. This system
will lead 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
The Technology Intelligence Management
Department aims at the systematic monitoring of
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 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
400 news items are automatically generated every
day. These are assessed and a selection is made
of those of interest to Cyta. The selected
information is then classified according to its
content and entered into the Competitive and
Technology Intelligence System from where it is
distributed to interested members of personnel.
Research and Development
Since June 2008, Cyta has been an Associate
Member of the European Office Cyprus for better
access to information concerning European
research programmes and projects.
In 2008, Cyta participated as a collaborating
institution in the Cyprus Labour Institute in
the framework of a Research Promotion Foundation research project on "Modernising
semi-government organisations in Cyprus".
Our Organisation was also an active participant
in Europe’s Safer Internet programme.
 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. Additionally, we
identify existing networks and technologies
approaching the end of their useful life and
study the various options available for their
subsequent transformation.
The result of these studies
is network architecture planning. Planning is
always carried out with the aim of maximising
network capability and the adoption of new
capabilities and technologies that will enable
the introduction of innovative services that
satisfy our customers’ communications needs.
Telecommunications Fraud/Data and Network
Security
In accordance with our Vision and Mission, 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 updated with
information 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 checks and hacking attempts, 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. Over
and above the ISO27001certification process for
selected services/networks, at a corporate level
with the aim of ensuring the security of all our
basic activities, an Information Security
Management System (ISMS) has been set up with
the appointment of information security liaisons
in all departments of Cyta, an Executive
Advisory Committee, etc. At the same time and in
the context of the implementation of the ISMS,
preparations have been completed on drawing up a
Corporate Information Security Policy in
accordance with ISO27001 and ISO27002
international standards. This policy constitutes
the framework/foundation on which all the
Organisation’s information security efforts will
be based, at both departmental and corporate
level. It aims at a high standard, holistic
approach to issues of information security and
wherever specific issues require greater detail,
on the basis of the corporate policy,
detailed/secondary information security policies
and processes will be developed.
Telecommunications Fraud
Management
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 2008, a total of seven 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 (Italy, Israel,
Greece)
• ÁPHRODITE 2 (Greece)
• CIOS (Israel)
• CADMOS (Lebanon)
• UGARIT (Syria)
• MINERVA (Italy)
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 international submarine
cable systems, used as extensions to the cable
systems landing in Cyprus, Cyta has consolidated
its strategic and regulatory role in the broader
region, establishing Cyprus as a superb
telecommunications hub in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
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