GO launches latest fibre optic technology for faster speeds

GO today launched Rapido, a new series of state-of-the-art superfast Internet services delivered through fibre optic technology.

The ‘rapido’ service reaches speeds of up to 200 Megabits per second, twice as fast as cable, and delivers over 100% fibre optic technology straight to customers’ homes.

Following successful trials in parts of Ta’ Xbiex and St. Julian’s, GO is now pioneering an extensive rollout of Fibre to the Home (FTTH) around Malta starting in Attard, near Tal-Mirakli.

GO said that customers choosing rapido can expect “superfast downloads”, exceptional support for multiple devices and users, lag-free gaming and more. Customers may also choose from three rapido multi-play packages with varying download speeds to suit their needs.

Fibre solutions have long been a key part of GO’s product suite for catering for business customers who require reliable, consistent and ultra-fast communications at all times.

GO was the first communications provider in Malta to offer 100Mbps fibre connectivity starting with commercial trials at multi-tenant buildings at Portomaso  in  St Julian’s and Forth Mansions in Ta’ Xbiex.

The investment in infrastructure is in line with GO’s technology roadmap announced in 2010, an extensive €100 million investment programme that oversees the roll-out of Next Generation Networks including FTTH to support new services and applications.

For GO, investment is the catalyst of its commitment to customers, signalling a determination to provide top quality and reliable service, great new products and packages and outstanding customer care.

In the future, GO will continue to invest in such projects and commits itself to give customers a taste of the outstanding customer experience that services over fibre deliver.

Speaking at the launch of this new venture, GO’s Chief Technical Officer Michael Mertsch said that GO had decided to venture where others have not.

“It’s great news for all our customers. We are smashing today’s speed limits in Malta with our superfast internet. The experience is exceptional. Whether our customers are watching Interactive HD TV, playing live online games or transferring large amounts of information, it’s consistently superfast internet whenever they use it,” Mertsch said.

GO’s Chief Commercial Officer Markus Golder added: “GO’s FTTH is the only 100% fibre optic network that translates into smoother, more reliable and ultra-fast service with speeds of up to 200Mbps. Meanwhile we already offer 35Mbps broadband almost nationwide.”

GO’s first rapido customers in Attard have been providing regular feedback on their experience. GO said it was extremely satisfied with the feedback received which has turned out to be even better than expected.

“All three of us at home can now use the internet at the same time. This fast internet helps me browse much faster which means I can get my research done earlier, while my son plays online games or does his own school research while  my wife does some video streaming. I am now able to get my work done faster, in a timely manner and with no delays!” said TV presenter and journalist, Brian Hansford.   

A young student in his teens, Matthias McCarthy said, “Previously, I would try to take part in peer-to-peer online games.  Imagine, you are gearing up with all your friends and you’re right there at the target site and you’ve just lost your internet connection! It’s so frustrating. With fibre internet, I haven’t had any trouble playing online games!”

“It’s great to watch my favourite chef right there on my interactive TV, showing me how to prepare a delicious meal for my family while my husband is tele-working.  Multiple, simultaneous TV and internet connections are just super with fibre internet,” said Sharon Micallef who works in food preparation.

rapido comes in three variants - 35Mbps, 75Mbps and 200Mbps – as part of GO’s Home Pack Interactive packages. 

Starting from €55 per month, in addition to a very high speed, unlimited broadband connection, customers get unlimited fixed voice calls to all GO fixed line numbers, up to 400 free monthly mobile minutes and IPTV with over 70 channels. The IPTV service comes with interactive features that include restart, catch-up, pause, rewind and record.