GO plc said today that it is set to start commercial trials of IPTV, which will see TV services being offered over both ADSL and fibre technologies.
The development is part of the company's six-year €100 million investment in next generation networks such as fibre-to-the-home, mobile network upgrades and investments in its TV infrastructure, including IPTV.
The announcement was made by GO’s Chief Executive Officer David Kay in the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Mr Kay said GO had reached an agreement with an international provider for the launch of carrier-grade IPTV services in Malta. He explained that this alternative solution would provide GO’s customers a next generation TV experience which included 3D and High Definition capability, on demand television as well as interactive games and services.
Dr Gonzi was visiting the recently-renovated GO head office to mark the 10th anniversary since GO launched its mobile telephony service.
Dr Gonzi and Infrastructure and Communications Minister Austin Gatt were given a tour of GO’s offices, including the new GO business centre and the state-of-the-art Network Operations Centre for mobile and fixed communication services. The head offices house all of GO’s core and support functions.
Dr Gonzi thanked GO for its commitment to investment in the country.
‘‘Telecommunication is an important economic enabler and investments in such infrastructure are pivotal for Malta to sustain its growth and development. The investment that GO has undertaken over the past years and the investment made in the coming years, further confirms that liberalisation and privatisation processes have been important catalysts for investment and innovation. As a result, we have seen subscription indices and penetration rates rise as well as the growth of important economic sectors such as the financial services and the ICT industry which depend on the availability of modern and reliable telecommunications infrastructure. These investments over the years and in the coming years will continue to increase Malta’s investment attractiveness and sustain Malta’s economic growth.’’
Mr Kay said GO was at the forefront of technology and was investing both at an access level to make fibre technology available across the country, as well as on the applications level, so as to ensure customers benefited from the latest services and products.
He also pointed out that last month GO announced that it was the first communications provider in Malta to offer 100 Mbps fibre connectivity, as part of its commercial trials at Portomaso and Forth Mansions in Ta’ Xbiex. Similar speeds will be offered in more areas of Malta and Gozo once fibre is made more widely available, subject to upcoming government policy and regulatory decisions.