GO p.l.c., formerly known as Maltacom, is a prominent telecommunications provider in Malta. The company was established in 1997 and has undergone significant transformations over the years. Initially, it operated under the name Maltacom, focusing on fixed-line services. In 2006, Maltacom rebranded to GO following its merger with mobile operator Mobisle Communications Ltd. In June 2016, Tunisian telecommunications company Tunisie Telecom acquired a 60% stake in GO from the Emirati company EIT for €200 million. By July 2019, Tunisie Telecom increased its ownership to 65.42%, solidifying its position as the majority shareholder.
Country
Malta
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
Tunisie Telecom
GO Malta logo

3G Network

GO launched its 3G network in April 2007, marking a milestone as the first mobile operator in Malta to offer 3G services nationwide. Immediately following the launch High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology, also known as 3.5G, was enabled in October providing faster internet access than traditional 3G. The network represented an investment of Lm6 million and aimed to provide comprehensive coverage across Malta and Gozo. The network received two additiona upgrades, HSPA+ in March 2012 and DC-HSPA+ in May 2012.

Network Frequency Band Status
B1 (2100 MHz)
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

GO commercially launched its 4G LTE network on the 2nd of December 2015. The service initially utilised the LTE1800 spectrum, providing high-speed mobile broadband services. The company demonstrated LTE-Advanced technology in its laboratories on December 16, 2016, although the nationwide rollout was contingent on additional spectrum allocation. The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) planned to auction the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2.6 GHz bands to facilitate this expansion. GO, along with other operators, expressed interest in acquiring the 800 MHz (band 20) spectrum. The 4G network rollout aimed to enhance indoor coverage and offer super-fast mobile broadband services across Malta and Gozo.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status Known EARFCNs
B3 (1800 MHz)
20
Active
1301
B7 (2600 MHz)
20
Active
2850
B7 (2600 MHz)
20
Active
3050
B20 (800 MHz)
10
Active
6200
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

GO began its 5G journey with a €16 million investment announced on the 15th of December 2021. The company entered into a network agreement with Nokia to deploy 5G infrastructure, targeting nationwide coverage by the end of 2023. GO utilised the 5G NR frequency band n78 (3500 MHz) for its 5G services, which operates in the 3300 to 3800 MHz range. As of 2024, all major national operators in Malta, including GO, had launched 5G services. The MCA worked to make additional spectrum available in the 700 MHz, 3.4 GHz, and 26 GHz bands to support the growing demand for 5G and the Internet of Things.

Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status
n78 (3500 MHz)
100
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 5G Network
Launch