Gibtelecom
Encyclopedia
Gibtelecom is the largest telecommunications provider
in the British overseas territory
of Gibraltar
. Its headquarters are located on John Mackintosh Square
.
and the dissolution of the City Council, the telephone service was transferred to the newly formed Government of Gibraltar. Until 1990, all telephone services were operated by the Gibraltar Government Telephone Department. International circuits were provided by Cable & Wireless
, which had been originally founded as the Falmouth, Malta, Gibraltar Telegraph Company, in 1869. This later operated as the Eastern Telegraph Company from Mount Pleasant in Gibraltar. However, Cable & Wireless left Gibraltar in 1987. On 1 January 1988, British Telecom (BT) and the Government of Gibraltar formed a joint venture company called Gibraltar Telecommunications International Ltd (known by its commercial brand Gibtel) to operate Gibraltar's international telecommunications services. Gibtel was subsequently granted a licence to offer mobile telephony introducing a GSM900 network.
In 1990, the Government decided to privatise its Telephone Department and therefore entered into a joint venture with Nynex
of the United States
. Gibraltar Nynex Communications Ltd (GNC) became responsible for fixed-line telephony
. GNC was the first acquisition of Nynex outside the Americas. In 1997, GNC, through its wholly owned subsidiary, GNC Networks, commenced Internet
services. GNC Networks was later renamed GibConnect. ADSL services were introduced in 2002.
In 2001, BT sold its 50% stake in Gibtel to GNC. Both companies subsequently merged to form Gibtelecom, a joint venture between the Government of Gibraltar and Nynex's successor company, Verizon. The name Gibtelecom begun to be used in July 2002, and as of 1 October 2003 this name was formally adopted by the company (which up until then was still Gibraltar Nynex Communications). In April 2007, Verizon sold its shares to Telekom Slovenije which is the incumbent part-State owned telecommunications operator in Slovenia
and is quoted on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange
. Telekom Slovenije paid €
36.7m for Verizon's 50 per cent stake in Gibtelecom.
In 2009, the Government of Gibraltar announced it may sell its stake in Gibtelecom. However, as at October 2010, no decision has been made.
is Joe Holliday, Minister for Enterprise, Development & Technology and Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar
. Holliday was appointed to this post as Minister for Telecommunications. However, in October 2010, the Government of Gibraltar announced that EU Communications Directives had to be enforced so that a same Minister cannot "exercise powers under the Directives and also be involved in ownership and control functions of a telecommunications company in Gibraltar". Therefore, competences over Telecommunications were transferred to the Minister of Housing, remaining Holliday as Chairman of Gibtelecom.
Tim Bristow is the CEO
, a post he holds since the company's foundation in 2001. At that time he was the Financial Secretary of Gibraltar, a post he held for several years.
Gibtelecom is structured around three brands: GibWireline, Gibtel and GibConnect.
The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
(GRA) has designated Gibtelecom as having Significant Market Power
(SMP) and therefore it has imposed certain obligations on Gibtelecom, with price controls being one of them. Gibtelecom has also been obliged to unbundle the local loop, although none of the other Gibraltar-based telecom providers have asked to use it.
of Spain, Cable & Wireless
and Interoute
of the United Kingdom provide international connectivity to Gibtelecom. Gibtelecom is also a partner in the Europe India Gateway
cable system, which will have a landing point in Gibraltar.
Telephone company
A telephone company is a service provider of telecommunications services such as telephony and data communications access. Many were at one time nationalized or state-regulated monopolies...
in the British overseas territory
British overseas territories
The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
. Its headquarters are located on John Mackintosh Square
John Mackintosh Square
John Mackintosh Square is a main square in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It has been the centre of city life since the 14th century and takes its name from John Mackintosh, a local philanthropist...
.
History
The first telephones were introduced to Gibraltar in 1886 by a private company which was later taken over by the colonial authorities. Since 1926, the telephone service was operated by the City Council. Upon the approval of the 1969 ConstitutionGibraltar Constitution Order 1969
The Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969 was published on 30 May 1969 as an Order in Council.The constitution was the outcome of the Constitutional Conference chaired by Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd which lasted from July 16 1968 to July 24...
and the dissolution of the City Council, the telephone service was transferred to the newly formed Government of Gibraltar. Until 1990, all telephone services were operated by the Gibraltar Government Telephone Department. International circuits were provided by Cable & Wireless
Cable & Wireless
Cable & Wireless Worldwide PLC is a global telecommunications company headquartered in Bracknell, United Kingdom. Cable & Wireless specialises in providing communication networks and services to large corporates, governments, carrier customers and resellers...
, which had been originally founded as the Falmouth, Malta, Gibraltar Telegraph Company, in 1869. This later operated as the Eastern Telegraph Company from Mount Pleasant in Gibraltar. However, Cable & Wireless left Gibraltar in 1987. On 1 January 1988, British Telecom (BT) and the Government of Gibraltar formed a joint venture company called Gibraltar Telecommunications International Ltd (known by its commercial brand Gibtel) to operate Gibraltar's international telecommunications services. Gibtel was subsequently granted a licence to offer mobile telephony introducing a GSM900 network.
In 1990, the Government decided to privatise its Telephone Department and therefore entered into a joint venture with Nynex
NYNEX
NYNEX Corporation was a telephone company that served five New England states as well as most of New York state, except the Rochester area, from 1984 through 1997....
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Gibraltar Nynex Communications Ltd (GNC) became responsible for fixed-line telephony
Landline
A landline was originally an overland telegraph wire, as opposed to an undersea cable. Currently, landline refers to a telephone line which travels through a solid medium, either metal wire or optical fibre, as distinguished from a mobile cellular line, where transmission is via radio waves...
. GNC was the first acquisition of Nynex outside the Americas. In 1997, GNC, through its wholly owned subsidiary, GNC Networks, commenced Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
services. GNC Networks was later renamed GibConnect. ADSL services were introduced in 2002.
In 2001, BT sold its 50% stake in Gibtel to GNC. Both companies subsequently merged to form Gibtelecom, a joint venture between the Government of Gibraltar and Nynex's successor company, Verizon. The name Gibtelecom begun to be used in July 2002, and as of 1 October 2003 this name was formally adopted by the company (which up until then was still Gibraltar Nynex Communications). In April 2007, Verizon sold its shares to Telekom Slovenije which is the incumbent part-State owned telecommunications operator in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and is quoted on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange
Ljubljana Stock Exchange
-About the Ljubljana Stock Exchange:The core business of the Ljubljana stock exchange is to ensure a secure, efficient and successful operation of the regulated segment of the Slovene capital market, in accordance with the law and other regulations.LJSE performs the following business activities:*...
. Telekom Slovenije paid €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
36.7m for Verizon's 50 per cent stake in Gibtelecom.
In 2009, the Government of Gibraltar announced it may sell its stake in Gibtelecom. However, as at October 2010, no decision has been made.
Board
Gibtelecom's Board of Directors is made up of six directors, whereas the owners (the Government of Gibraltar and Telekom Slovenije) nominate three each. The current ChairmanChair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
is Joe Holliday, Minister for Enterprise, Development & Technology and Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar
Chief Minister of Gibraltar
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar is the leader of the largest party elected to the Gibraltar Parliament, and is formally appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, representative of the British Crown.-List of Chief Ministers:...
. Holliday was appointed to this post as Minister for Telecommunications. However, in October 2010, the Government of Gibraltar announced that EU Communications Directives had to be enforced so that a same Minister cannot "exercise powers under the Directives and also be involved in ownership and control functions of a telecommunications company in Gibraltar". Therefore, competences over Telecommunications were transferred to the Minister of Housing, remaining Holliday as Chairman of Gibtelecom.
Tim Bristow is the CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
, a post he holds since the company's foundation in 2001. At that time he was the Financial Secretary of Gibraltar, a post he held for several years.
Services
Gibtelecom is authorised to provide fixed line, internet, mobile, satellite and other radio-communication services under Gibraltar's Communications Act 2006. This authorisation supplements the licences issued by the Government of Gibraltar on 1 August 2003 for a 15-year period, which in turn replaced the previous licences issued to GNC in May 1990 and Gibtel in January 1988.Gibtelecom is structured around three brands: GibWireline, Gibtel and GibConnect.
- GibWireline is the brand under which fixed line telephony services are provided. Gibtelecom numbers are eight digits long including a 200 prefix (since December 2007).
- Gibtel is the mobile phone services brand (GSM Network Identifier: GIBTEL). Gibtelecom offers both GSM and 3G3G3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
services, and has kept the old brand from Gibraltar Telecommunications International. - GibConnect offers internet connectivity, providing solutions ranging from dial-up and ADSL accesses to corporate internet links. Gibtelecom has kept GNC's old brand.
The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority was established by the Gibraltar Regulatory Act in October 2000. The GRA is the statutory body in Gibraltar responsible for regulating electronic communications. This includes telecommunications, radio communications and broadcasting transmissions. The GRA serves...
(GRA) has designated Gibtelecom as having Significant Market Power
Market power
In economics, market power is the ability of a firm to alter the market price of a good or service. In perfectly competitive markets, market participants have no market power. A firm with market power can raise prices without losing its customers to competitors...
(SMP) and therefore it has imposed certain obligations on Gibtelecom, with price controls being one of them. Gibtelecom has also been obliged to unbundle the local loop, although none of the other Gibraltar-based telecom providers have asked to use it.
International connectivity
TelefónicaTelefónica
Telefónica, S.A. is a Spanish broadband and telecommunications provider in Europe and Latin America. Operating globally, it is the third largest provider in the world...
of Spain, Cable & Wireless
Cable & Wireless
Cable & Wireless Worldwide PLC is a global telecommunications company headquartered in Bracknell, United Kingdom. Cable & Wireless specialises in providing communication networks and services to large corporates, governments, carrier customers and resellers...
and Interoute
Interoute
Interoute Communications Ltd, is a privately held telecommunications company, which owns and operates a next generation . The network links to 21 Metropolitan Area Networks in 29 countries across 55,000 km of lit fibre and includes 8 Data Centres and 32 Colocation Centres.Interoute’s network...
of the United Kingdom provide international connectivity to Gibtelecom. Gibtelecom is also a partner in the Europe India Gateway
EIG (cable system)
Europe India Gateway is a submarine communications cable system that is planned to connect the U.K., Portugal, Gibraltar, Monaco, France, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and India. It will be about 15,000 kilometres long. It is planned to be capable of delivering...
cable system, which will have a landing point in Gibraltar.