GO has just completed a major upgrade in the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV) transmission system located at the multi-function telecommunications tower in Nadur, Gozo. As a result of the upgrade, GO’s DTTV coverage in Gozo has been hugely enhanced. With the commissioning of the new digital TV transmitting station, GO has now extended TV coverage to practically all parts of Gozo and the surrounding coastal areas for the benefit of GO Plus TV customers residing on the island.
This was announced during a press conference held at Ta’ Kenuna Tower and which was addressed by Minister for Gozo Hon. Giovanna Debono, Nadur Mayor Ms Miriam Portelli, GO’s Chief Executive Officer David Kay and other company officials.
This expansion comes in the wake of yet another major upgrade implemented at the DTTV transmitting station in Delimara where new transmitters were recently installed to step up coverage in the south of Malta. With these two additional enhancements in TV reception, GO has continued to strengthen its position as the leading quadruple-play telecom operator in the Maltese islands, offering clients a total communications solution, namely fixed line, mobile, broadband Internet and digital television that in turn translates in a range of value-for-money services for all of GO’s customers.
The main transmitting station at Ta’ Kenuna Communications Tower receives the TV channels directly from GO’s state of the art Digital TV Headend at Maghtab. To ensure optimum signal quality throughout the network, GO utilises its extensive fibre optic network to link the multiple transmitter and gap filler sites across Malta and Gozo to the Digital TV Headend. In order to maximize on the country’s available frequency spectrum, Single Frequency Network (SFN) technology is used to synchronize GO’s various digital TV transmitters across Malta and Gozo.
In addition to the main transmitting site at Ta’ Kenuna Tower, GO is also making use of additional low power gap fillers (repeaters) to fill in the coverage gaps caused by the number of hills across Gozo, thus also extending transmission coverage to fringe areas such as Xlendi and Marsalforn. These DTTV gap filler sites are located at Kercem and Zebbug (Gozo).
GO’s association with the Ta’ Kenuna Tower dates back to a number of years ago when the company had extensively restored the tower and converted it into a communications facility.
Referring to the television service, David Kay, GO’s CEO said: “The TV upgrade – one of many carried out by GO in the past months – further underpins GO’s reputation as the leading telecoms operator in the Maltese Islands.
“GO is committed to provide customers with the best level of quality digital TV service offered through the DTTV platform both in terms of content as well as service provision. We truly offer the best value for money, starting from only €2.33 a month, and a wide range of channels,” he said.
Norbert Prihoda, GO’s Chief Operations Officer said: “GO is reinforcing its position in the marketplace by ensuring that it has the newest technology backed up by its suppliers for years to come. Outstanding service provision via the state-of-the art DTTV platform is coupled with a massive boost in TV content on GO Plus giving our customers an outstanding experience. We are constantly adding on more content, including sports such as the Formula One rights that GO has won for three years starting from this year’s season which opens in March.”
Mr Prihoda said also that refurbishment works are currently underway in GO’s retail outlet in Republic Street Victoria which offers all of GO’s services under one roof. He said works will be completed to the satisfaction of all Gozitans who will be able to get all their communications services from under one roof.
Speaking about these investments, Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono said: “This is further good news for Gozo and its residents as more and more customers can benefit from the latest technology, improved digital TV coverage and service. Such investments in our island demonstrate the commitment that companies like GO have towards Gozo.”
Nadur Mayor Miriam Portelli said the locality of Nadur was proud of its association with GO which covers various initiatives. She thanked GO for its investment in the Ta’ Kenuna Tower and the landscaping of the surrounding gardens for the benefits of Nadur residents.
Meanwhile, Chief Technology Officer, Ing. Joe Bugeja and Ing. Kelvin Camenzuli Senior Manager - Video and TV Networks gave details of the expansion project pointing out that the state-of-the-art DTTV Headend facility at Maghtab had been continuously upgraded in the past months with enhancements in the monitoring and control station, a high-quality electronic programme guide (EPG), a Playout System targeting more Sports Channels and the launch of a new Information Channel that provides a wide range of real-time information including airport arrivals and departures, weather forecasts, exchange rates – and much more.
Moreover, GO has continued to invest heavily in innovation and is the only service provider in Malta that also delivers content to its customers via both Mobile and Broadband (www.di-ve.com) platforms apart from its DTTV network.
Television viewers have the opportunity to enhance their experience when they switch to GO and enjoy the most affordable top quality digital TV service with the best picture and stereo sound – all for prices starting from €2.33 a month. New and existing customers not only get great digital TV service but also the opportunity to obtain free set-top boxes on GO Plus TV packages. In addition, new TV customers who subscribe to one of GO’s TV packages FREE+, SILVER+, GOLD+ – and Home Pack – up to the 31st of March 2009 get the chance to win one of 300 DAB+ Digital Radio sets worth over €100 each set. With Home Pack – GO’s Talk Surf, Watch and Mobile bundle –customers enjoy significant value for money and GO’s most popular options from only €33 a month.
For more information on GO’s newest offer and the full range of GO Plus TV packages, customers can call GO customer care on Freephone 8007 2121, drop in at one of GO’s retail outlets or visit www.go.com.mt . Other terms and conditions apply.
