Telecommunications in Cyprus
Telecommunications in Cyprus includes radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet, in the Republic of Cyprus. CYTA, the state-owned telecommunications company, manages most telecommunications and internet connections on the island. However, following the recent liberalization of the telecommunications sector, a few private telecommunications companies, have emerged. Radio and television. The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC, , ) is the main broadcaster in Cyprus, although there are also privately owned 4 radio and 3 TV stations. A television channel from the Greek state broadcaster ERT (ERT World) is available. The British Forces Broadcasting Service also operates radio and  TV stations, although the TV signal is now confined to the Sovereign Base Areas or encrypted for copyright reasons. Internet. Asymmetric digital subscriber line, the most widespread broadband technology in Cyprus, is available in most urban and sub-urban areas, with multiple providers offering packages that range from 512 kbit/s to 32 Mbit/s. Cable broadband is also available in some urban locations (Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol) with speeds up to 150 Mbit/s. An internet service provider comparison website exists at the Cyprus Broadband portal. Many wireless networks are appearing in Cyprus, some with no minimum contract/pay  as you go and others with a fixed contract. Quantum Cable is planned 7,700 km ultra high speed optical fiber submarine communications cable system connecting Cyprus with Greece, Israel, Italy, France and Spain. It is expected to have 160 terabits per second, capacity equivalent to streaming 80 million HD video conference calls at the same time. The Quantum Cable will be laid at same time with the 2,000 MW EuroAsia Interconnector. Quantum Cable will upgrade Cyprus to telecom hub and will support data centers on Cyprus. Internet censorship and surveillance. There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet , with the exception that gambling sites not licensed by the Republic of Cyprus are blocked, or reports that the government monitored email or Internet chat rooms without appropriate legal authority. Individuals and groups engage in the peaceful expression of views via the Internet, including e‑mail. The law provides for freedom of speech and press and the government generally respects these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to ensure freedom of speech and press. The law prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, and the government generally respects these  prohibitions in practice. Northern Cyprus. The north part of Cyprus is under occupation by the Turkish army. Called the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) by Turkey, it comprises the northern portion of the island of Cyprus. International telephone calls to northern Cyprus are routed via a Turkish dialing code (+90 392) as northern Cyprus has neither its own country code nor official ITU prefix. Similarly, there is no Internet top-level domain for northern Cyprus, which is instead under the Turkish second-level domain .nc.tr. Amateur radio operators sometimes use call signs beginning with "1B", but these have no  standing for awards or other operating credit.