Go plc upgrades 3G mobile network but cautious on 4G

Go is currently testing internet access speeds of up to 21.1 Mbps on its mobile network to cater for the increasing demands made by internet access over smartphones and tablets, while voice communication over mobile continues to grow. However at the moment there are no plans to provide 4G communication though the upgraded network is 4G-ready.

Michael Mertsch, Go’s chief technology officer responsible for the group’s fixed line, mobile, television and internet access services, spoke to i-Tech about the company’s investment in its mobile infrastructure.

“It is very exciting for us to take the lead in performance especially since Go mobile was not the first operator. We have seen a tremendous increase in 3G coverage as we have replaced many 2G-only-stations with 3G, more than doubling the number of locations which now have 3G coverage. This means much better quality when it comes to voice calls thanks to a stable and seamless signal, and also better indoor coverage for 3G services.”

Go is testing the 21.1 Mbps network right now while 14.4 Mbps has been available for some weeks. Customer feedback is very positive and Mr Mertsch said they are the only operator to offer fast fibre from the base station to the internet via its central core, so the mobile internet experience is much better. This upgrade is the result of a contract with Nokia Siemens Networks announced last September. Indeed Mr Mertsch, a German with over 25 years experience in the telecommunications industry, took over the post at Go last July, just before the start of the upgrade.

“The philosophy is to offer a high level of reliability – hence duplication of transmission links, critical system components and emergency back-up options. It is because of this reliability that emergency services like Mater Dei hospital use Go for their communications.”

All this investment in Go’s mobile communications network comes at a time where internet access over smartphones and tablets is growing very fast. i-Tech asked Go’s chief technology officer to provide some figures on the use of data by Go’s clients.

“This is commercially sensitive but it is clear that there is an increase in the number of people migrating from normal phones to data-enabled phones and now onto smartphones and tablets. Already more than half use such phones, however it is clear that Malta is lagging behind other EU countries so there is room for growth.

“Mobile voice is still gaining strength as people switch to mobile in line with international trends. SMS volume also remains strong but people are using other messaging options through Blackberry and iPhone, for example, as well as through social networks. But this has led to rise in mobile internet demand and hence Go’s decision to invest so heavily in getting top mobile internet speeds,” confirmed Mr Mertsch.

Apple has just launched a new version of its popular iPad tablet with 4G (LTE) communication. This has prompted Maltese users to ask whether local mobile operators are anywhere near providing 4G mobile access to exploit the potential of the new iPad when it comes to Malta.

When i-Tech asked Go’s chief technology officer about 4G and LTE, he said: “Go is still in the process to assess the demand for 4G – which it can now provision thanks to the investment in base station equipment which is 4G ready. However, when it comes to LTE, Go is aware that there are certain drawbacks, which are not proving to be very popular with mobile phone users.”

Another area where Go has made significant investment lately is in its fibre-powered fixed network, which serves the company’s back-end communication and also its commercial services such as its interactive TV and ADSL internet access.

“Almost all of Malta is already fibre-powered,” confirmed Mr Mertsch. “Go started with densely populated areas some two years ago and has since been spreading fibre out to more isolated areas. The initial focus was on getting fibre to cabinets to get the maximum effect to as many households as possible. Now we are focusing on multi-dweller units, which is proving to be very popular and many developers are asking for fibre connectivity as it is much sought after by clients. Go also provisions businesses with fibre to enable them to get the superfast speeds that they require for their work.”

With such a network already in place, Go is in a good position to respond to the government’s recent request for expressions of interest to built Malta’s next generation broadband network.

“Go has not yet formulated a position on this. We are already very active when it comes to rolling out fibre so we have to see how this fits into our own strategy,” concluded Go’s chief technology officer.