It took five people 400 hours to install the complex systems for L-Istrina Boxing Day charity marathon in Verdala and in the end it all went without a single glitch.
The systems installed by telecoms group Go handled 36,000 telephone calls from 164 telephones, supported 18 TVs, and involved 17 ADSL installations and 3 VDSL installations.
Charles Mansueto, the man behind the Go technical team, says the team only had two days of full testing available and the event involves 10 hours of anxiety which he would gladly relive “all over again, any time, any day”.
This year, technology was put to greater use, with a live video conference for the President with the Puttinu Apartments in Sutton, UK.
“It was an experience we will cherish for as long as we live,” Mr Mansueto said.
“Technology today brings people closer, so we thought of making direct contact with those who actually benefit from L-Istrina live”.
With the help of Matthew James Mifsud from Vianet Systems who leased the ‘life size’ video conferencing equipment and Wayne Lee Valentine, who volunteered to install this system personally, all went according to plan.
Go’s deputy chief technical officer Kelvin Camenzuli explained why Go undertakes the mammoth task pro bono every year: “The installation for L-Istrina is a perfect example of Go’s ability to deliver highly available networks and enterprise solutions to our customers. The connectivity options and equipment we use for this task are part of our on-going national investment to provide increasingly resilient networks. Go is the only local operator that can handle such an installation with flawless execution.”
L-Istrina is one of Go’s most important corporate social responsibility pillars which the company endorsed since its first edition in 1995. Besides the €20,000 donated during the event, Go waives all costs related to installation, man hours and materials.
Go also waives all revenue shares related to the SMSs and calls during the event. Last year, this sum reached €64,492. Considering the new record achieved during last year’s edition, this share is due to reach a record sum as well.