Pioneers all along the way

Cyta is celebrating six decades of life this year. This course captures the modern history of our country and its people. Meandering through time, the organisation has learned to look towards the future with dynamic flexibility, change and adapt with the reality of each era. Always be a step ahead in technology, design the products of the future and make its mark on the way we live and work.

Early steps

It set out in 1955 as Cyprus Inland Telecommunications Authority or C.I.T.A. A few months following the establishment of Cyprus independence, in 1961, responsibility for the whole range of telecommunication services across Cyprus was taken over by the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority or Cyta, as a single public utilities company. This led to the rapid development of the network and the growth of available telecommunication services in Cyprus.

By the late 1960s, almost every village had its own phone, while in 1968 Cyta implemented the tropospheric connection between Cyprus and Greece, opening up a new field in the islands’ international telephone service. In 1971, it established automatic long distance telephony, paving the way for a phone in every home.

1974

Cyta infrastructure was hit hard by the 1974 Turkish invasion, but the organisation quickly bounced back and managed to decisively contribute in the process of the country’s recovery following stinging infrastructure losses, including the Nicosia International Airport.
Just a few weeks following the invasion, Cyta restored Cyprus airspace under Republic of Cyprus control, creating a new air traffic control centre with the means at its disposal.

1975 sees the transition from the analogue to the digital era. With the parallel growth of the landline access network and the completion of the work, all homes in cities and villages are now covered by the new telephony network.

Mobile telephony

In 1988, Cyta installs the first mobile telephony system and 1995 sees the launch of digital mobile telephony services under the CYTAGSM umbrella. In 1999, the prepaid mobile telephony service becomes operational and in 2000, Cyta introduces the SMS.

In 2004, Cyta signs an agreement with international mobile phone giant Vodafone, leading to the creation of Cytamobile-Vodafone, the first mobile telephony service that utilises the 3G network capabilities with voice services. SMS/MMS messages, data and video calls.

In 2015, mobile telephony turns 4G, covering all the population in the government controlled areas of Cyprus. The technology soon upgrades to 4.5G in the main urban centres and tourist resorts.

In 2021, Cytamobile-Vodafone announces the operation of the first 5G network in Cyprus, an essential piece of infrastructure for the country’s digital transformation.

Internet Services

In 1999, Cyta launched the Cytanet internet service. Before long, the i-choice and NetRunner services begun providing uninterrupted connection to the network, allowing clients to surf on the internet and talk on the phone at the same time.

The WiFi wireless connection service follows, with many WiFi spots created, as this is the time that people are looking for a WiFi area everywhere.
In 2018, the Cyta Fiber optical fiber network is introduced; combined with the latest upgrade of the mobile telephony network, it provides speeds of up to 1 Gigabit. This formed the biggest upgrade of national telecommunications infrastructure to this day.

Digital Television

In 2004, Cyta introduces the miVision service, later renamed Cytavision, providing interactive digital television through a phone line.

Cyta becomes the first organisation in Cyprus offering a wide range of innovative services and teleinformatics solutions, including fixed and mobile telephony networks, internet and television (quadruple play).

International telecommunications hub

The substantial upgrade of international satellite and subsea connections is of major strategic importance both for Cyta and Cyprus as a whole. The country becomes established as a reliable telecommunications hub of international connections and services in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Digital transformation

Cyta is one of the main state pillars for the digital transformation of Cyprus. Through cutting edge technology such as the optical fibre national network and the 5G mobile network, it is forging the future of communications, providing ultra high speeds and innovative electronic applications that improve the citizens’ quality of life, strengthen the clients’ experience and maximise business productivity.

National Optical Fibre Network

The ultra high speeds provided by the national optical fibre network are a precondition for the digital transformation of Cyprus and the creation of new prospects in essential sectors of society, such as public services, medicine, education, culture, financial services, commerce, shipping, agriculture and entertainment. In addition, Cyta is already offering ‘smart solutions’ based on the network and contributing towards state and economy competitiveness.

Mobile Telephony Broadband Networks

Along with the development of the optical fibers network at national level, Cyta continues to upgrade its mobile telephony network with cutting edge technology. The 5G reality has brought us to the age where internet network ultra high speed access through mobile and connected devices, will be considered a given.

Undersea and satellite connections

Beyond its high level of infrastructure in Cyprus, Cyta develops and manages a wide network of international connections that have established Cyprus as a telecommunications hub of the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, giving rise to more business opportunities through access to new markets in the telecommunications corridor between Asia, East Africa and Europe.

Data Storage Centres

Cyta already maintains two Data Centres, hosting equipment and infrastructures; a centre responding to the strictest international standards of security. Data Centres create the necessary conditions of attracting new local and international investments in Cyprus.

Sustainable development

As a public utilities organisation, Cyta forms an integral part of Cyprus society. As such, it recognises that through business activities and operations, there is a social effect. That said, it makes a coordinated effort at both commercial and corporate action that are respectful to people and the environment and revolving around improving the quality of life of all stakeholders. Cyta’s focus on sustainable development is deep-rooted. Right from its establishment it contributes towards the financial and social development of Cyprus, through investments in infrastructures supporting entrepreneurship and employment, providing added value to the economy.
Such investments actively contribute to developing new technologies that work towards strengthening effectiveness, promoting the use of sustainable resources and energy, facilitating the reduction of waste and becoming part of the solution to the climate crisis the global community is facing. As the principal contributor to the digital transformation of Cyprus, Cyta keeps intensifying efforts at providing every citizen with equal access to reliable services from every area in the country, even the most remote.

Respect to the environment

Since 2001, within the framework of drafting its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, Cyta has been active in the environmental sector, establishing environmental policy. It’s efforts to reduce electricity consumption include the use of more energy efficient equipment and the least possible use of paper. Since 2016, it maintains the ‘Green Offices’ environment quality certificate for the all the Cyta shops and from 2018 for all personnel buildings nationwide. Since 2016, they are the first organisation in Cyprus with Zero Waste to Landfill, with the percentage of recycling/reuse of its disposable waste reaching 97,55% (TUV Austria verified). As the first strategic partner of the ‘Making Cyprus Green’ initiative, it’s been planting a tree for every ten new Cytavision connections, aimed at reducing its carbon imprint (environmental impact). Cyta has been repeatedly awarded as a ‘Golden Protector of the Environment’, for making environmental issues an integral part of its business policy.

People serving technology

New technologies being developed by Cyta, including the optical fiber national network, the 5G national network, Data Centres and international connections between Cyprus and the rest of the world, even the digital solutions emerged from them (i.e. smart cities) constitute the cornerstone of the digital era infrastructures and part of the climate crisis solution, due to the improved resources management, greater efficiency and effectiveness they secure.
They also serve to facilitate businesses efforts to save on resources and significantly reduce their environmental imprint.
But what they mainly do, is make people’s daily lives easier and improve their living standards, by providing them with the communication tools necessary for work, education and entertainment. These tools are a reliable connection, speed and safety.

Personnel performance management system

For the purpose of securing Corporate Governance principles, the Audit Committee was set up in 2004, drawn up strictly from Cyta executive board members. In addition, through the contribution of the Internal Audit Directorship, Cyta secures the smooth functioning of the organisation, adequate and effective risk management activities, safeguards and corporate governance, all fundamental principles of business excellence. It has also adopted a holistic framework of Risk Corporate Management.

It is a given for the organisation that job satisfaction is directly connected with rising corporate pride. This kind of institutional framework secures hiring equality and equal pay. Cyta keeps upgrading policies aimed at strengthening the talents and development of its personnel. It is the only public organisation that evaluates personnel based on the agreed targeting of the new Performance Management System. It is also the only one adopting an alternative plan of advancement for experts.
In addition, it offers major opportunities of further education, development and learning to personnel, sponsoring their participation in training programmes and certifications. It has also established working from home, contributing to further balancing work and personal life, therefore improving personnel satisfaction.

 The fastest mobile network in Europe

Cyta has conquered a high technological peak with its Cytamobile-Vodafone network awarded as the ‘Fastest mobile network in Europe’.
This distinction was presented at the Speedtest Awards™, organised by independent firm Ookla®, a world leader in internet analysis and monitoring. The award was based on thousands of measurements conducted in real conditions by consumers in Cyprus, through the Speedtest® application, during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of 2021. The Cyta Speed Score™ surpassed dozens of mobile networks throughout Europe.

Cyta has achieved a high technological peak with its emergence as “The fastest mobile network in Europe”.The relevant announcement was made by the CEO Andreas Neocleous during a speech at the Digital Agenda Conference, held in Nicosia on October 19.

‘We’re very proud of this award. It confirms that Cyta networks are an international reference point for all of Europe. It is a recognition of our professionalism, hard work, but mainly our determination for on-going progress, so we can provide our clients with advanced services and products that improve their lives. This distinct also constitutes a major technological development for our country. It is real proof that when Cyprus has the will, it can climb to the top of Europe’.

Always standing next to you

The Cyta clients, as well as the wider society in Cyprus are at the core of the organisations’ business strategy and working towards their needs, through a relationship of trust is a major marker of success. As Cyta points out,

‘Τhe organisation responsibly develops new products and services, always promoting safe use of the internet, particularly amongst children, not using mobile phones when driving and recycling old devices. For the past 20 years it has been organising free lectures on internet and its uses, across primary, secondary and Technical Education schools. It also provides its clients with the ‘Safe Internet for Home’, ‘Cleanfeed’ and ‘SafeWeb’ services, strengthening protection from suspect material and content or spam’.

As it goes on to add,

‘During six decades of life, Cyta’s action has been supporting every vital aspect of society; from Sport through its steadfast contribution to the Cyprus Olympic Committee over time, as well as sponsoring a number of sports federations, and Culture, through public participation encouragement programmes, such as ‘Let’s Go Theatre’. We also organise voluntary blood donations by staff, provide immediate assistance to areas damaged by extreme weather phenomena, offer scholarships and opportunities to employ students. At regular intervals, Cyta implements a series of comprehensive social action programmes, connected to its business outlook, such as supporting the Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme, run by the Preventive Pediatrics Centre’.

Standing out in Cyta social action is promoting road safety, an issue that is a primary concern in society.

As the organisation notes,

‘Beyond supporting the creation of overpasses in areas of Nicosia and Limassol with traffic congestion, Cyta was amongst the first to sign the European Charter of Road Safety in 2004, as well as jointly committing itself to the drastic reduction of road accident victims. Since then it has continued to develop and implement important actions towards creating road safety awareness, particularly targeted to the younger generations’.

Cyta’ s pivotal social role also came to the fore through the difficult pandemic conditions.

‘The Organisation stepped forward with a sense of responsibility towards the state and society, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of the valuable commodity of communication-for the state, businesses, consumers and all citizens. Considering the grave repercussions of the pandemic, Cyta provided significant financial assistance to the government in supplying ventilators and other hospital equipment. And instead of organising events to celebrate its 60th anniversary, it channeled this budgeted amount to Okypy’s (state medical services organisation) Ambulance Service, contributing to the purchase of a Crisis Management Mobile Unit, crucial in rescuing fellow citizens in danger’.

Looking to the future

Cyta is celebrating six decades of life this year. It set out in 1955 as Cyprus Inland Telecommunications Authority or C.I.T.A. A few months following the establishment of Cyprus independence, in 1961, responsibility for the whole range of telecommunication services across Cyprus was taken over by the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority or Cyta, as a single public utilities company.

Today, running through the 7th decade of life, Cyta remains an innovator, practically supporting the development of the whole country. CEO Andreas Neocleous spoke about Cyta’s history, today’s realities and the organisation’s future.

What’s it like being head of an organisation with such long history and a major name in the telecommunications sector?

Cyta is one of the biggest and most successful organisations in Cyprus and justifiably so, the bar is set very high. There is a great deal of responsibility, with no time to actually let up and relax. Each day brings numerous new challenges that need to be addressed with both calmness and determination. In each case, the satisfaction and pride I see in the colleagues and clients’ faces, as well as society as a whole, is worth every sacrifice and tough moment.

What does the history carry to the present and the future?

It carries experience, certainty, know-how, maturity and excellence in every service we provide. It carries a client targeted culture, responsibility, social awareness, love for the individual and our country. Above all, through technology, it carries the need for constant change, pushing the country to new development.

Durability and ingenuity

What is the organisation’s DNA and what shaped it?

It was shaped by the modern history of Cyprus. The organisation set out in colonial times as Cyprus Inland Telecommunications Authority (CITA) and following independence, it evolved into Cyta as we know it. In 1974, it suffered a loss of around a third of its assets and 25% of its subscribers. Following the country’s accession to the EU, Cyta begun operating within competitive conditions. The organisation’s characteristics are the same to those of Cyprus; durability, ingenuity and success against the odds.

More prepared and wiser

We’re going through a tough situation in Cyprus. Covid was upon us before the economy managed to fully recover. What’s your take on the realities?

I always see the glass half full. The first positive indications only after a few days following the breakout of the pandemic; working for home, distance learning, everyone familiarising themselves with the internet and technology, private and public sector working together to face the crisis.  Two years later, we’ve gone through the worst of it, we’re more prepared for what will come our way and wiser for it. We got the push we needed in the right direction and now there’s a unique opportunity to regroup and reevaluate our priorities. Speeding up the digital transformation is a one way street to the country’s competitiveness and Cyta is ready to rise to the occasion and take on its own share of responsibility.

The pandemic has  brought to the fore the importance of telecommunications and the internet and speeded up processes. But we’re still way behind in comparison to other countries. What is Cyta’s role in the digital evolvement of economy and society?

The pandemic period has certainly made an international point about the importance of further development of digital technologies, and fast. We have intensified the pace in developing our optical fiber network in order to cover all urban areas in the next 2.5 years. Before the end of 2021, Cyprus will top Europe in 5G coverage, thanks to the Cyta network.

We are upgrading direct international subsea internet connections and planning to operate a new modern Data Centre.

Not enough flexibility

How are you affected by the fact that Cyta is essentially a state organisation? What needs urgent change?

After three years at Cyta, I am now convinced that state ownership is not necessarily a problem here. On the contrary, with the right sort of strategy, it can become an advantage. But what does create a serious issue is that the organisation’s operation is still based on legislation from the 1960s. The 2021 Cyta, technologically advanced Cyta, facing fierce competition, is forced to endure inflexible, complicated and slow processes and be subject to restrictions that do not apply to any of the other competitors. If we want more success, that we need to add the missing link; flexibility. Over the past three years, there have been remarkable achievements, particularly on financial results, commercial performance and human personnel management. Just imagine how much more we can achieve as a flexible, autonomous organisation. For its owner, the state, such a development will guarantee a continued, long term success.

Cyta is targeted much more in relation to other similar organisation. Why is that do you think?

That’s true enough, yes. It’s owned by the state, so the impression, mainly with the mass media is that Cyta stories would be more interesting to the public, more so negative ones. It is a fact that we don’t actually see similar news stories or interest in other telecommunications companies. At times, these stories create the wrong image about our company, not easy to overturn. I am glad note that Cyta negative publicity has gone down significantly over the past few years and I do hope that continues.

Extroversion and development

Which would you say was the most important momentor era?

There’s been many of them during our history, so I’ll focus on 2019 onwards, so I can share my personal experience too. Cyta income had been on a downward spiral since 2011, sending all the wrong signals about the future and the organisation’s viability, with all the negative connotations that might entail. For me the most important moment came in late 2019, when we overturned the downward trend after eight years and our income rose by 8 million euro (2.6%). It was a landmark, as it set Cyta on its way to a course of development, extroversion and confidence that remains to this day and I believe will continue into the future.

Innovative personnel evaluation

Which do you consider the most work or decision in Cyta’s history?

There are many examples of important works.

Such as speeding up the optical fibers installation, the commercial introduction of 5G in pandemic conditions and all the reactions to it, cooperating with competitors for TV football rights, as well as many other similar developments.

I do consider however the introduction of the Personnel Performance Management System in 2020, as our top achievement. We are the first public organisation that evaluates personnel on the basis of agreed, measurable individual targets, based in turn, on our business plan and corporate goals.

Something to remember

Any memorable incidents or stories?

Ι will never forget the scene of our tower burning as people were in pandemic lockdown and needed communication as never before. Times like these can actually disappoint you, lead you into a loss of direction, but also harden you with more resolve to achieve your goals. That was the case for us and resolve is more about what we are.

Social action

What’s the importance of corporate social responsibility for you and how does that translation to action?

As an organisation with a strong social imprint, Cyta has set sustainable development and transition to a more green economy as one of its top priorities. This is also achieved, amongst other policies, through the continued upgrading of its corporate social responsibility. The most important actions have been Cyta’s international recognition for Zero Waste to Landfill, through repeated awards, as well as the green offices certifications. We have also participated in road safety campaigns, implemented applications for safe internet use by children and offer products for vulnerable population groups, such as people with optical, hearing or movement disabilities.

We also provide reduced prices to around 37 thousand low income people, based on specific criteria. During the pandemic we supported our clients with favourable payment deals and sponsored the purchase of crucial medical equipment for the state.