Picture this: Malta’s bustling Republic Street, where tourists and locals alike are glued to their smartphones, navigating the Three Cities or checking the latest news. Now imagine, just a decade ago, the same street was a different world, with people actually talking to each other, not through screens but face-to-face. This stark contrast brings us to the heart of our story today: has EU telecom policy kept pace with our digital evolution?

Malta, once known for its ancient history and sunny beaches, is now a digital powerhouse. We’re home to some of Europe’s fastest internet speeds and a thriving tech industry. Yet, as we’ve raced ahead, EU telecom policies have been left in the dust, or so it seems. Let’s explore why.

In 2018, the EU introduced the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), a set of rules aimed at fostering competition and investment in the telecom sector. But here’s the catch: these rules were designed for a world that’s already changing. They focus on traditional telecom services, barely touching on the digital revolution that’s reshaping our lives.

Take net neutrality, for instance. The EECC includes provisions to protect it, but is it enough? In Malta, where we’re used to streaming our favourite shows without buffering, the thought of internet providers playing favourites is alarming. Yet, the EECC doesn’t go far enough to prevent this. It allows for ‘specialised services’, which could be a loophole for prioritising certain content.

Then there’s the issue of spectrum allocation. The EECC wants to free up more spectrum for 5G, but it doesn’t address the elephant in the room: the lack of harmonisation across EU member states. In Malta, we’ve got a patchwork of spectrum bands, making it tough for operators to provide seamless coverage. The EECC doesn’t tackle this, leaving Malta’s digital future hanging in the balance.

So, what’s next for Malta? We can’t wait for Brussels to catch up. We need to lead the charge. Imagine this: Malta, the first EU country to implement telecom policies that truly reflect our digital age. It’s not just about faster internet or better coverage. It’s about creating an environment where tech startups can thrive, where digital innovation is the norm, not the exception.

Let’s push for policies that prioritise net neutrality, that ensure spectrum allocation is harmonised across the EU, and that foster investment in cutting-edge technologies. Let’s make Malta a digital trailblazer, not just a tourist hotspot. Because our future isn’t in the past. It’s in the cloud.

As Malta’s Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Professor Edward Scicluna, recently stated, “We need to ensure that our regulatory framework keeps pace with technological developments.” It’s high time we held our EU representatives accountable and demanded policies that truly serve our digital needs.