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Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 16:24

GO launches HD tv trial

GO’s COO Norbert Prihoda showcasing the HD tv channels and the GO Box+.

GO plc has launched a trial for its high-definition (HD) tv service.

The company said at the launch this afternoon that it was the first communications company in Malta to already have customers enjoying HD tv over a fibre-to-the-home connection. In addition, in the coming weeks, it would be launching also its own movie channel.

GO's HD trial started in the past few days, with a number of customers benefitting from the viewing of HD channels . More customers will be enjoying the service in the coming months. The service is also being showcased at various GO outlets.

CEO David Kay said that the gradual roll-out of HD tv was in line with the recent statements made by the company's Board of Directors that approved the initial phases of a major investment programme in Next Generation Networks, in the fixed network through which broadband internet is provided and through which other applications will be provided in the near future, as well as in the mobile network.

Mr Kay said GO had started deploying a fibre network to the home in conjunction with the wider upgrading of the current network, specifically in the last mile towards the users. That included the installation of new cabinets which provide higher internet and data speeds.

"Thanks to the deployment of high-speed fibre networks, we will be able to offer our customers higher data speeds as well as new services such as HD tv," Mr Kay said.

GO's Chief Operations Officer Norbert Prihoda said that during the trial, GO would be showcasing a selection of HD channels, covering different genres such as entertainment, sports, documentaries, music and others. GO will be obtaining the public's feedback and reaction on its HD tv offering, in view of an initial commercial launch in selected areas of Malta in Summer.

Competitor Melita TV said earlier today that thousands of television viewers had registered their interest for its High Definition (HD) television service, which will be launched next month in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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22 Comments

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joe camenzuli

Apr 21st 2010, 18:34

If I recall correctly just before the general election GonziPN also stated that he will abolish the TV licence now that we are all paying the service providers with vat included for the transmission service. Another goal scored against!!!

Peter Zammit

Apr 21st 2010, 17:40

oh great so much talk about HD yet with Go I'll still wont get to watch the world cup yet with Melita I will and I'll get HD in June too for real not just testing bits and bobs....and are we gonna get a guarantee that the tariffs wont get boosted again?

way to go GO.....

Paul Axiaq

Apr 21st 2010, 17:22

Hellloooooo? Melita launch in June. Go launch later in summer. Enough said in this race eh?

Christian Azzopardi

Apr 21st 2010, 17:20

'Sports' is a very generic word. Can any GO rep be more specific and tell us whether HD will be extended to next year's Serie A and english Premiere League please? Showing a Serie A match in standard def whilst concurrently showing a game of carling in HD would be a bit peculiar I suppose. My decision on whether to choose their service or take the satelite route (i dont care if it is not 100% legal, it is also illegal to provide lousy servive for a high price in my book) depends entirely on this answer. I'll take a non-reply as a 'no'.

Tonio Martinelli

Apr 21st 2010, 17:17

Erm....do they think we're stupid? So Melita are offering the actual service as of June (in time for the World Cup ukoll) while Go are still testing the product. Hmm...no prizes for guessing which one I'll opt for if I want to really 'experience HD TV' from the comfort of my home. And while watching the World Cup too yeeeeha. GO....go fish!

Carla Scerri

Apr 21st 2010, 17:15

Interesting.....

J. Micallef

Apr 21st 2010, 17:14

The Government promised arial users 6 free digital channels a promise that was not kept.

Edwin Mifsud

Apr 21st 2010, 17:37

Here is your list of free to air Digital Channels:

1) Rai Uno

2) Rai Due

3) Rai Tre

4) Rete 4

5) Canale 5

6) Italia 1

That is six channels.

Now if you did not buy a digital tuner that must be Gonzi's fault too.

S. Camilleri

Apr 21st 2010, 19:07

Have you bought the box? And in any case, you get these channels when Analogie transmissions stop... that is end of this year or next!

Jim Evans

Apr 21st 2010, 19:39

Maltese Gov. actions means louder then words, learn something from us guests... as u people call us apart from whingers and moaners that is.

Charlie Vella

Apr 22nd 2010, 06:44

The digital free channels mentioned above are not free any more. They had been scrambled too. Ah

Angelo Tabone

Apr 21st 2010, 17:13

What a joke!!!! The truth is with Melita I can watch the World Cup in HD but with Go I can't. Why don't you be honest for a change and say you didnt win the race....

A. Borg

Apr 21st 2010, 18:48

The World cup I will be able to watch it on almost every channel but to watch the Seria A and the Premier league you have to subscribe with GO my friend!

Mark Vella

Apr 22nd 2010, 22:56

Well said Mr. Dimech, I think Melita did not win the race ages ago when they lost football rights to the two most viewed football leagues in the world, the english premier league and Serie A. Also its nice to see that most people agree with me that customer care service from Melita is rubbish. I am enjoying my hope pack with Go and havent payed 1 cent more than what I am supposed to pay according to the contract I signed. Well Done Go , keep it up.

James Grech

Apr 21st 2010, 17:11

This is great news!

Does this mean that Fiber will be passed through out each house hold? and connected to every box that I have in my house?

E.Attard

Apr 21st 2010, 17:09

Well said Mr Busuttil. I was deceived by Melita and my two written complaints sent by email were not answered.

Anthony Cachia Bantick

Apr 21st 2010, 17:08

I'm surprised go is labelled as being the first with an HD service as i have been enjoying specific channels with Melita hd trial since September 2008, including last year's barclays premiere league, discovery channel, history channel and national geographic to mention a few.

Congrats for Go though as i have their service as well. Hope hd service is here to stay

Peter Busuttil

Apr 21st 2010, 16:56

As always, Go is ahead of its main competitor. Thankfully, I ditched Melita years ago because of its poor customer service and I haven't regretted my decision. Keep up the good work, Go.

J Brincat

Apr 21st 2010, 16:31

Hope that Go would not raise its tariffs again as it did a couple of months ago even though I had a 24 months contract with them.

My protest fell on deaf ears as I did not even get an acknowledgement to my letter.

G. Mangion

Apr 21st 2010, 17:44

Agree 100 % with you Mr. J Brincat.
Pure Black mejl !! NEVER AGAIN GO !

S. Camilleri

Apr 21st 2010, 19:03

Must be a different GO then .... I had a contract (homepack) and my price did not change!!

Joey Grech

Apr 21st 2010, 16:27

Well done GO! Most people have confidence in you.

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GO launches HD tv trial

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