Vodafone Malta has launched the highest mobile internet speeds across the Maltese islands. This next evolution of 3G data capabilities across Vodafone’s broadband network enables customers with the latest devices to enjoy a significant improvement in speeds on the Vodafone network.  This launch reinforces the company’s position of delivering the best network on the Islands, bringing the very latest mobile technologies to customers in Malta and Gozo, and further widening the gap between Vodafone and its competitors.

“We are very proud to announce that we already have the new 21.6Mbps HSPA capability live across all of our coverage area,” said Balesh Sharma, Chief Executive Officer at VodafoneMalta.  “This is another first for us at Vodafone after being the first operator to deploy 14.4Mbps across our network back in April 2010,” continued Mr Sharma.  “I am also very excited to announce that we are already in the process of also rolling out the very latest 42Mbps capability across key areas and high traffic sites in our network.”

Mr Sharma explained that the launch of this combination of capabilities means that Vodafone has the fastest commercially available speeds on 3G technology on the island.  “This underlines our promise at Vodafone to always provide our customers with leading capabilities not just when compared to competition but also across the globe, ensuring that Malta continues to enjoy cutting edge telecoms technologies to drive the country’s digital agenda.”  Vodafone Malta’s investment of €50 million over five years and announced in the second half of 2011 has been increased by a further €5 million, reflecting confidence in the future despite the current global economic outlook.

Vodafone’s Head of Technology Andrew de la Torre said Vodafone’s new speeds promise a truly spectacular data experience on cutting edge data devices from internet keys to tablets.  “The enhanced user experience that Vodafone’s upgrade brings has been optimized after extensive drive testing to make sure we understand the overall experience our customers can enjoy,” said Mr de la Torre.  “As with all telecommunication technologies, the peak speeds, only tell half the story as these kinds of speeds can only be achieved under the very best operating conditions.  For this reason Vodafone team members work endlessly to guarantee that the superior experience happens across our coverage footprint.”

Minister Austin Gatt, who addressed the Press Conference, thanked Vodafone and commended the company for its constant commitment in providing world class telecommunication services to the Maltese Islands. Moreover, he emphasized that Vodafone’s investment programme of €55 million over a span of five years is a wealth and employment generator for the Maltese Islands. “Without investments like these Malta would not be a leader in telecommunications and the country would not be able attract foreign investment.  Telecommunications is a vital part of the infrastructure that a country offers as an investment hub.  Without it Malta would not be a world class financial centre.”  He commented on the impressive new speeds Vodafone is offering its customers in Malta but said that this wasn’t only about data speeds but also about the economic health of a country.  By offering a world class service comparable to other European capital cities Vodafone was also supporting job creation in other sectors.  Malta’s industries were proving time and again to be adaptable to global challenges, and Vodafone is a perfect example of this.

With Vodafone’s new 21.6Mbps upgrade it is expected that average download speeds will be around 1.5 times faster than the current experience using 14.4Mbps.  In the very best conditions this capability can already easily support the streaming of full high definition movie content. Vodafone’s targeted upgrades of 42Mbps take this experience even further, and provide the ultimate mobile data experience to those customers with the very latest devices.  This technology can deliver average download speeds approximately 3 times faster than what can be experienced today, and a performance in ideal conditions to rival the best fixed technologies.