Whether it will be by phone, SMS or the internet that people will pledge to help those in need during this year’s edition of L-Istrina, Maltacom has once again taken care of all the logistics required for the smooth-running of the event that kicks off tomorrow at noon.

As it did in previous editions of the philantropic event, Maltacom, L-Istrina’s official telecommunications provider, will also offer its support by waiving all call-related charges and by providing several gifts to be given out as prizes during the marathon that will run until midnight.

The newly-set-up structure in Ta’ Qali – the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) will be the new venue for this year’s edition of the event.

During a walkabout at the MFCC yesterday morning, members of the media could see that Maltacom’s state-of-the-art phone-in system that has been set up and tested, includes a total of 141 telephone lines on site.

The company has specifically set up an operations centre at the MFCC and the communications system will be fed from two separate exchanges – in Birkirkara and Mosta.

Maltacom will be having a support team both on site and at its various exchanges and operation centres throughout the event tomorrow, in order to avoid disturbance should any technical hitches crop up.

The donation lines will operate on two separate systems with 70 telephone lines for Lm5 donations and 20 lines for Lm10 ones.

All 90 lines are connected to a special caller identification system that is intended to speed up the allocation of gifts associated with phone-ins.

Apart from the phone-in lines that have been installed on the phone-in platform at the MFCC, another 51 lines will be used to support various activities. Other lines at the pledges office will be able to cater for larger amounts of money that people would like to donate.

Maltacom has also set up radio booths equipped with a telephone link to enable regular updates on most local radio stations. A number of telephone lines – including hot lines – have also been specifically installed to enhance communications vis-à-vis logistics during the event.

The phone-in donations system is installed on Maltacom’s network and is accessible to local fixed operators functioning on the company’s own network as well as all local mobile operators.

Speaking at the end of yesterday’s walkabout, Maltacom chairman Saviour Portelli said L-Istrina tops the list of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme.

“Maltacom considers itself privileged to have been the main telecoms provider for this prestigious event for the past 10 years, and to still be the main telecoms provider. This is not just any other fund-raising initiative, but has been transformed into a national event about people in need of a helping hand.

I would like to take the opportunity to encourage our customers to make a call and donate generously to this worthy cause,” said Mr Portelli.

This year’s L-Istrina committee chairman Andrew Psaila thanked Maltacom for its continued support over the years. He said the company plays a very important role in the event and he expressed his appreciation that Maltacom will once again be waiving all call charges and other fees related to donations made by phone.

The figure for these services runs into several thousands of Maltese liri. In fact it amounted to more than Lm20,000 during last year’s edition of the event.

Companies that form part of Maltacom Group will be donating a number of prizes including multimedia mobile phones from go mobile and broadband kits comprising activation of broadband Internet, a modem and three months of broadband Internet (4Mbps per second).

The group’s web content section will once again offer internet users the opportunity to make online donations through the di-ve.com portal. A secure online donation platform has been specifically set up to ensure a quick and secure donation.

Additionally, live TV streaming will also be available on www.di-ve.com, so the event will be broadcast live online. News updates with regard to the event will also be uploaded on the website regularly throughout the day.

L-Istrina will be broadcast on TVM, NET and ONE television tomorrow. Further information may be obtained by visiting www.istrina.org.mt.