Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/321747
Events 40 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 JUNE 2014 Melita connects to TeliaSonera International Carrier Melita, the fastest internet service provider in Malta, an- nounced that it has connected to the leading global internet backbone provider TeliaSonera International Carrier (TSIC). This enables direct, fast access to TSIC's customer base across 85 countries. 80% of the world's top 20 content providers are di- rectly connected to TSIC thus enhancing the Internet experi- ence for Melita's customers. The new link to TSIC will result in better quality for in- ternational connections to the Internet for melita customers. Home users will experience this quality leap particularly when using applications like online multi-player games, video streaming and other ap- plications that require faster response from different points around the world. For business customers, the improved connectivity per- formance, driven by better la- tency and even lower packet loss, results in a more efficient network experience. This is particularly relevant for busi- nesses which operate their busi- ness online, or 'in the cloud'. The link to TSIC comple- ments other investments by Melita aimed at enhancing quality of service for its inter- net customers, especially busi- ness customers. Less than two years ago Melita extended its international reach to Milan to enhance international con- nectivity as well invested in a state-of the art colocation data centre. "Melita is determined to maintain its position as broad- band leader in Malta for resi- dential and business customers alike. We invest heavily in our infrastructure in Malta and are proud to work with TSIC as a leading carrier to deliver best in class connectivity to the rest of the world. "Higher speeds and best qual- ity of service are our guiding principles. The link to Telia- Sonera International Carrier is welcome news especially for business customers operat- ing in the gaming industry," commented Ludolf Rasterhoff, COO at Melita. "End users are demanding more – moving beyond being connected to being immersed in their connectivity. This means closer co-operation with our communication service provid- er customers, such as Melita, so we can act together to meet rapidly changing demands. "We are proud that Melita has chosen TSIC and we look for- ward to working together in the exciting and challenging times ahead." added Staffan Göjeryd, Vice President, Data and Infra- structure, TeliaSonera Interna- tional Carrier. Melita is the leading broad- band internet provider in Malta and the only operator offering nationwide broadband internet speeds up to 100 Megabits per second. It also operates a direct link to Milan connecting it to global internet backbones such as TSIC. For more information visit www.melita.com TripAdvisor honours Hilton Malta, Oceana and Blue Elephant with top accolades Minister for Transport and Infrastructure endorses Middlesea's road safety campaign A new monument to promote water conservation was unveiled in the Paul Boffa public gardens adjacent to St George Preca College, Primary A and B at Paola. Commissioned as part of HSBC's Water Programme, the Catch the Drop campaign implemented in Malta with support from the Min- istry for Energy and Health is being celebrated by a monument designed by Maltese artist Joseph Barbara. The monument is made out of re- cycled plastic water bottles, some of which were collected by the school students themselves. The Minister for Energy and Health Konrad Mizzi, HSBC Malta CEO Mark Watkinson and Paola Mayor Roderick Spiteri were greeted by students who carried out a range of activities on the day to mark the occasion. Students sang a song about water conservation and organised a leaflet distribution exercise to raise awareness about water sustainabil- ity in their locality. Minister Mizzi encouraged the students to keep up their exemplary participation in 'Catch the Drop'. "This monument symbolises our increasing awareness of water about the crucial importance of achieving water sustainability within our com- munities. "It is also a way of thanking and en- couraging all those volunteering in- cluding HSBC staff volunteers, their time and energy to champion water sustainability for a better, more en- vironmentally sustainable, future." St George Preca Primary A stu- dents are highly active within the 'Catch the Drop' Campaign. Their voluntary contributions include meetings with the EkoSkola com- mittee and HSBC staff volunteers, presentations carried out at their school, participation in awareness raising activities to mark World Wa- ter Day 2014 (22 March), participa- tion in the EkoSkola Young People Environmental Summit, and the submission of successful proposals under the 'Catch the Drop' school outreach programme and the com- munity outreach programme. "This monument offers a visual reminder that water is our most pre- cious resource," said HSBC Malta CEO Mark Watkinson. "The aver- age Maltese uses 135 litres of water per day, about a quarter of which is flushed down the drains. This figure is among the insightful informa- tion that volunteering students are distributing to Paola homes to help raise awareness and highlight how all of us can make a marked differ- ence and conserve water." The nation-wide three-year initia- tive by HSBC Malta called "Catch the Drop" is incorporating innovative and pro-active approaches to raise awareness about water conservation and stimulate a positive change to- wards sustainable fresh water use in Malta and Gozo. Paola Mayor Roderick Spiteri thanked HSBC Malta and the Min- istry for Energy and Health for their commitments and ongoing support. Spiteri emphasised the importance of raising awareness among younger generations so that we become ever more environmentally sustainable in our day-to-day life. Hilton Malta today announced that the Hotel and two of the restaurants located within the Hilton, namely Blue Elephant and Oceana all received a Tri- pAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. In addition, the Hotel was also hon- oured in the 2014 Traveller's Choice Awards as a winner in the favourite hotel category, as reviewed by travellers on the world's largest travelling site. These accolades, which honour hos- pitality excellence, are given only to es- tablishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on Tri- pAdvisor, and are extended to qualify- ing businesses worldwide. Establishments awarded the Certifi- cate of Excellence are located all over the world and represent the upper ech- elon of businesses listed on the website. Now in its 12th year, the annual Tri- pAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards, on the other hand, are awarded based on millions of valuable reviews and opin- ions from travellers around the world. "We're excited to recognise the world's best properties, based on the opinions of those who know them best – the mil- lions of travellers around the globe who come to TripAdvisor to share their ex- periences," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "For those seeking inspiration for their 2014 travel planning, this list of spectacular accommodations that re- ceived 2014 Travellers' Choice awards is a perfect place to start." "Winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is a true source of pride for the entire team at Hilton Malta and we'd like to thank all of our past guests who took the time to complete a review on TripAdvisor," said Matthew Mullan, General Manager at Hilton Malta. "There is no greater seal of approval than being recognised by one's cus- tomers. With the TripAdvisor Certifi- cate of Excellence based on customer reviews, the accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and our continued commitment to excel- lence." The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe Mizzi recently visited one of the performances of Street Smart, the Road Safety Campaign coordinated by Mid- dlesea Insurance with the support of Fundacion MAPFRE. During a visit to Maria Regina Boys School in Mosta, Mr Joe Mizzi commended this initiative which will help to make roads saf- er. "I sincerely believe that these types of initiatives, which tap into our students' imaginative minds will serve to better support the current educational system and thus create more well-rounded in- dividuals and in this case, a safer transport experience for all Malta to enjoy," he said. He thanked Fundacion MAP- FRE for their generous contri- bution towards the education of Maltese youths whilst remarking on the level of professionalism with which the campaign is being conducted. Middlesea Insurance President and CEO, Alfredo Munoz stated that Road Safety is a very impor- tant issue for the company. In fact this is not the first time Middlesea Insurance and Fundacion MAP- FRE have collaborated on a Road Safety Campaign, having already launched a nation-wide campaign in 2013. This school campaign to pro- mote road safety to pupils aged 11 to 13 years and will reach more than 4,300 students in Form 1 and 2 from a number of schools across Malta and Gozo. The crea- tive performances are carried out by the animation group Genera- tion Green. Middlesea Insurance is a mem- ber of the MAPFRE Group. Middlesea Insurance p.l.c. (C-5553) is authorised by the Malta Financial Services Author- ity to carry on both Long Term and General Business under the Insurance Business Act, 1998. COM No 190514 831 Minister Konrad Mizzi, HSBC CEO Mark Watkinson, and Paola Mayor Roderick Spiteri unveiling the new monument with Paola Primary School students HSBC 'Catch the Drop'monument unveiled in Paola Transport Minister Joe Mizzi (right)