A key sign of an advanced telecommunications and information technology environment is one in which the telecommunications industry is liberalized in both infrastructure and service but well regulated by the governing authorities. In Cyprus there are many private suppliers of telecom hardware/software as well as satellite, internet and mobile phone services.(25)

The physical land lines within the island are however owned by the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA), a corporate body established by law to provide telecommunication services nationally and internationally. They have made substantial investments in the past few year, towards upgrading its telecommunications network and providing a number of new advanced services to meet the ever increasing market demand.(26)

The history of the CYTA can be seen on their website(26), but ultimately it shows that the regulation of this industry is tightly monitored by the government. It would however be beneficial to liberalize this industry completely in order to recognize the full benefits of a competitive environment. In addition, the speed at which the telecom and information technology industry could expand within Cyprus would only gain from private parties attempting to further their own business strategies. The Cyprus goal to become a communication hub between the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa would certainly speed up with the advent of liberalization.

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