Malta achieves full 3G coverage
Mobile operator Go Mobile is today launching its 3G network, offering video telephony and faster internet access over mobile handsets.Maltese mobile phone users of both local operators can now enjoy the benefits of 3G and related upgraded...
Mobile operator Go Mobile is today launching its 3G network, offering video telephony and faster internet access over mobile handsets.
Maltese mobile phone users of both local operators can now enjoy the benefits of 3G and related upgraded technologies.
"It gives us great pride to announce this launch, especially when one considers that we are the first mobile phone operator in Malta to offer 3G services on a nationwide basis," company director Peter Gauci told i-Tech in the run-up to the official launch.
The company is providing coverage on a nationwide basis from day one using High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) or 3.5G, actually providing even faster internet access speeds than 3G. This was not the case when 3G was introduced to Malta last year.
The network represents an investment of Lm6 million. However, additional investment is likely to be able to expand and upgrade the network as required.
What incentives are there for mobile users to move to 3G?
"The future of mobile technology lies in 3G," stressed Alan Zammit, senior executive IT at Go Mobile.
"Mobile users who embrace this service will start to enjoy the benefits that are available today (higher data rates, TV on your mobile, enhanced download of content, video calling etc) in addition to other exciting services that will be developed in future."
In order to access the 3G network a user must have a 3G-capable handset. An-EDGE compliant handset is not necessarily 3G-capable, although the 2.5G network (as EDGE is also called) complements the 3G infrastructure.
The mobile company said it is not stopping its development of the EDGE service and, until the use of 3G phones becomes more widespread, this will continue to be the network used by the great majority of users.
The company said a number of Go Mobile users are already using 3G handsets on the 2.5G network. These users will all start to use the 3G network as from today. After this immediate take-up there will be commercial initiatives promoting 3G phones and services.
"We expect that the cost differential between 3G and 2G/2.5G phones will gradually disappear. This will entice more customers (existing and new) to choose the 3G option to enjoy both the superior features on these phones as well as the superior quality of our network," predicted the company's senior IT executive.
The equipment needed to set up a 3G network can be subdivided into two main parts, namely the radio and the switching parts.
"First of all 3G requires a completely separate radio network, therefore new base stations have to be installed at different locations in order to create the coverage area," explained Martin Zammit, senior executive for engineering.
Go Mobile decided to go for a network offering nationwide coverage right from the start; therefore it was necessary to locate new base stations in all parts of Malta and Gozo.
There will be around 100 base stations installed. Some sites are also being shared with Vodafone Malta. Externally a 2.5G and a 3G base station will look very much alike to a non-expert. But the technical parameters underlying the two systems are very different.
Go Mobile did not encounter any issues related to residents and permits when installing the new 3G base stations.
"This was achieved by carefully constructing the antenna systems so that there would be little or no visual impact. We have in fact managed to re-use many of the pre-existing antennas for the 3G base station installations," he said.
Ing. Zammit said that in the initial stages, indoor coverage may be limited in some areas. However, more base stations will be added to the network in the coming months, improving indoor coverage.
The other additional equipment is at the central network switching centre.
"A mixture of new platforms had to be added for 3G and other equipment expansions and/or software upgrades had to be carried out on the existing GSM-EDGE equipment. All the equipment involved in Go Mobile's 3G network was supplied and commissioned by Nortel Networks through a contract signed between the two parties in September 2006.
"3G uses a more advanced radio protocol - in other words the technical characteristics of the two-way connection between the mobile handset and the nearest base station - is different from the one used in 2.5G. This is why you must have a 3G-capable phone to communicate with a 3G-network," explained Ing. Zammit.
While Go Mobile was busy setting-up its new 3G network, it was also working on its new broadband wireless access (BWA) network.
The mobile operator is one of three licensees that will provide broadband internet access comparable to fixed-line ADSL and cable internet in terms of speed but without any wires.
"With the advent of the HSDPA enhancement to 3G, Go Mobile has strengthened its position as a provider of broadband access on the move. HSDPA is in this regard already providing a form of BWA service," Mr Zammit explained.
"One should be aware that 3G with HSDPA and other broadband wireless technologies such as Wi-Max (which needs a new infrastructure) will themselves evolve further and are destined to converge and to become the 4G technologies of the future."
With the two local mobile operators both providing 3G services, how can Go Mobile's services stand out from the competition?
"There are two main features that make the Go Mobile 3G network stand out," according to the company's senior IT executive.
"First is the fact that that the network is offering outdoor coverage on a nationwide basis right from the start, with indoor coverage increasing all the time.
"Secondly the 3G network supports HSDPA from day one, also on a nationwide basis and not merely at specific locations. Customers who try out the mobile data offering from Go Mobile will now be able to experience true broadband data service on the move."
Maltese mobile phone users of both local operators can now enjoy the benefits of 3G and related upgraded technologies.
"It gives us great pride to announce this launch, especially when one considers that we are the first mobile phone operator in Malta to offer 3G services on a nationwide basis," company director Peter Gauci told i-Tech in the run-up to the official launch.
The company is providing coverage on a nationwide basis from day one using High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) or 3.5G, actually providing even faster internet access speeds than 3G. This was not the case when 3G was introduced to Malta last year.
The network represents an investment of Lm6 million. However, additional investment is likely to be able to expand and upgrade the network as required.
What incentives are there for mobile users to move to 3G?
"The future of mobile technology lies in 3G," stressed Alan Zammit, senior executive IT at Go Mobile.
"Mobile users who embrace this service will start to enjoy the benefits that are available today (higher data rates, TV on your mobile, enhanced download of content, video calling etc) in addition to other exciting services that will be developed in future."
In order to access the 3G network a user must have a 3G-capable handset. An-EDGE compliant handset is not necessarily 3G-capable, although the 2.5G network (as EDGE is also called) complements the 3G infrastructure.
The mobile company said it is not stopping its development of the EDGE service and, until the use of 3G phones becomes more widespread, this will continue to be the network used by the great majority of users.
The company said a number of Go Mobile users are already using 3G handsets on the 2.5G network. These users will all start to use the 3G network as from today. After this immediate take-up there will be commercial initiatives promoting 3G phones and services.
"We expect that the cost differential between 3G and 2G/2.5G phones will gradually disappear. This will entice more customers (existing and new) to choose the 3G option to enjoy both the superior features on these phones as well as the superior quality of our network," predicted the company's senior IT executive.
The equipment needed to set up a 3G network can be subdivided into two main parts, namely the radio and the switching parts.
"First of all 3G requires a completely separate radio network, therefore new base stations have to be installed at different locations in order to create the coverage area," explained Martin Zammit, senior executive for engineering.
Go Mobile decided to go for a network offering nationwide coverage right from the start; therefore it was necessary to locate new base stations in all parts of Malta and Gozo.
There will be around 100 base stations installed. Some sites are also being shared with Vodafone Malta. Externally a 2.5G and a 3G base station will look very much alike to a non-expert. But the technical parameters underlying the two systems are very different.
Go Mobile did not encounter any issues related to residents and permits when installing the new 3G base stations.
"This was achieved by carefully constructing the antenna systems so that there would be little or no visual impact. We have in fact managed to re-use many of the pre-existing antennas for the 3G base station installations," he said.
Ing. Zammit said that in the initial stages, indoor coverage may be limited in some areas. However, more base stations will be added to the network in the coming months, improving indoor coverage.
The other additional equipment is at the central network switching centre.
"A mixture of new platforms had to be added for 3G and other equipment expansions and/or software upgrades had to be carried out on the existing GSM-EDGE equipment. All the equipment involved in Go Mobile's 3G network was supplied and commissioned by Nortel Networks through a contract signed between the two parties in September 2006.
"3G uses a more advanced radio protocol - in other words the technical characteristics of the two-way connection between the mobile handset and the nearest base station - is different from the one used in 2.5G. This is why you must have a 3G-capable phone to communicate with a 3G-network," explained Ing. Zammit.
While Go Mobile was busy setting-up its new 3G network, it was also working on its new broadband wireless access (BWA) network.
The mobile operator is one of three licensees that will provide broadband internet access comparable to fixed-line ADSL and cable internet in terms of speed but without any wires.
"With the advent of the HSDPA enhancement to 3G, Go Mobile has strengthened its position as a provider of broadband access on the move. HSDPA is in this regard already providing a form of BWA service," Mr Zammit explained.
"One should be aware that 3G with HSDPA and other broadband wireless technologies such as Wi-Max (which needs a new infrastructure) will themselves evolve further and are destined to converge and to become the 4G technologies of the future."
With the two local mobile operators both providing 3G services, how can Go Mobile's services stand out from the competition?
"There are two main features that make the Go Mobile 3G network stand out," according to the company's senior IT executive.
"First is the fact that that the network is offering outdoor coverage on a nationwide basis right from the start, with indoor coverage increasing all the time.
"Secondly the 3G network supports HSDPA from day one, also on a nationwide basis and not merely at specific locations. Customers who try out the mobile data offering from Go Mobile will now be able to experience true broadband data service on the move."