Nationwide 3.5G and 3G coverage launched by Go Mobile

Go Mobile launched 3G and 3.5G services last week, making it the first time that this mobile technology is available with nationwide coverage in both Malta and Gozo.

Maltacom CEO David Kay said: "This is an important milestone in mobile communication for Malta. Until now 3G services were available only in limited areas in Malta and nowhere in Gozo. Maltacom Group's and Go Mobile's priority has always been to give the best service at the best possible value to our clients, and this is why we decided to launch 3G and 3.5G services at this point in time, when we are in a position to offer coverage on a nationwide basis."

3G wireless technology represents a shift from voice-centric services to multimedia-oriented services by allowing users to stream video, and carry out wireless data transmission and video calling on their mobiles. Go Mobile has invested over Lm6 million to upgrade the company's infrastructure to a level that supports both 3G and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) more commonly referred to as 3.5G.

Peter Gauci, director of Go Mobile, said: "HSDPA is also available nationwide and not merely at specific locations, and promises a download speed that's up to four times faster than 3G. Customers who use the mobile data offering from Go Mobile will now be able to experience true broadband speeds while on the move. Go Mobile will also be making additional investments to expand and upgrade the network in the coming months. We are looking at more than 100 base stations situated around Malta and Gozo.

"Our investment will bear fruit in the form of added value in the services we offer to all our clients. 3G required a completely separate radio network. Therefore, new base stations had to be installed at different locations to create the coverage area. We also needed to add new platforms specifically for 3G as well as other equipment expansions and software upgrades that needed 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, under a contract signed between the two parties in September. The network was designed to provide coverage over all the territory from the initial launch stage.

"In these early stages indoor coverage may be limited in some areas. However, more base stations will be added to the network in the coming months so that the coverage experienced by users will be considerably improved until indoor coverage will be good in many areas."

On the expected take-up, Mr Gauci said a healthy number of Go Mobile users already have 3G handsets. Go Mobile also plans a number of commercial initiatives promoting 3G phones and services.

"We expect that the cost differential between 3G and 2G phones will gradually disappear."

As of this week all Go Mobile subscribers owning a 3G-capable handset will be in a position to benefit from 3G, irrespective of the locality where they are based. For more information on using 3G services, call 146 (free) from your Go Mobile, 7922-2146 from other networks or visit www.go.com.mt.