GO makes multi-million investment in mobile network

GO has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to provide the new radio mobile backhaul network and related services. The agreement was signed by David Kay, GO’s Chief Executive Officer and Joao Picoito, Head of the South East Europe Region Nokia Siemens.

Speaking about the benefits of the new network, David Kay, GO’s Chief Executive Officer said: “The ambitious project entails massive expansion of the 3G mobile coverage footprint making it the widest in Malta, working with the latest technology that will ensure high network quality as well as reliable voice and fast mobile data connections seamlessly across Malta and Gozo.”

“The project will involve the replacement of the entire existing GSM and 3G radio infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment from Nokia Siemens Networks.  The quantity of mobile transmission sites will also be significantly increased, giving GO’s customers the benefit of a superior mobile experience, for both voice and data, the latter being the main area of growth in mobile communications today.”

“With a broadband penetration higher than the European Union average, Malta continues to witness an increasing demand for improved data services, especially from companies and organizations. Additionally, more than a million tourists who visit the country every year make a very attractive potential customer base,” said Joao Picoito, head of the South East Europe region, Nokia Siemens Networks. “It is, therefore, important for operators such as GO to prepare their networks to offer high-speed mobile broadband services and to withstand any surge in data and voice traffic.”

Nokia Siemens Networks will replace GO’s existing radio mobile network with its energy-efficient, compact Flexi Multiradio Base Stations. In addition, the company will add new sites to expand coverage and improve network performance. GO will deploy Nokia Siemens Networks’ NetAct network management system to efficiently monitor, optimize and configure its network.

GO’s customers will experience an improved performance on mobile voice calls as well as higher mobile broadband speeds for their smartphones and mobile lap tops.  In addition to providing industry-leading performance upon deployment, the platform chosen by GO will provide a stable base for the introduction of the next generation of mobile technology, such as 4G, as it becomes available.

GO has taken the opportunity to opt for a ‘green’ technology that is substantially more energy-efficient than the one it is replacing, thus contributing to the fulfilment of the company’s social responsibility objectives.

The replacement of a live network is a challenging project, but is being planned in such a way as to limit the inconvenience to customers – and to third parties that host GO’s base stations - to the very minimum.

The project is expected to be completed in slightly more than a year, but customers will benefit from improved performance earlier, as specific phases of the project are completed.

Earlier this year GO completed the replacement of its network core which switches calls. So this project means a complete overhaul of the infrastructure launched by GO mobile in 2000. This investment forms part of the €100 million that GO is committed to investing over a 6-year period.