Following the launch of Malta's first 4G+ mobile network, Vodafone Malta now brings the country its first ever glimpse of the future by showcasing the foundations for 5G technology  and trialling breakthrough "gigabit speeds" of 1,000 Mbps on its mobile network.

This landmark speed, which is a whopping eight times the speed of 4G, is a first of its kind in Malta and was only possible by bringing cutting-edge technology from Vodafone Group especially to the island.

The demo comes as Vodafone changes its brand positioning globally from Power to you to The future is exciting. Ready?

Vodafone Malta CEO Amanda Nelson explained that consumers believe that the way that technology helps them connect is evolving and it makes the future exciting, but a little bit unknown. Vodafone's new positioning underlines the brand's belief that new technologies and digital services will play a positive role in transforming society and enhancing individual quality of life over the years ahead. Vodafone is now inviting customers aboard this journey and will be there to support them.

In the future, gigabit speeds promise to transform the way we live, work and play. They will open up new horizons in fields such as healthcare, education and media and entertainment, she continued.

Potential applications in the field of healthcare, for instance, may include advanced remote monitoring via connected wearable devices, such as automatic blood pressure, heart rate, hydration and sleep level monitoring around the clock. 

Gigabit speeds can also help education at all levels through increased digital learning, immersive virtual reality training and remote interactive experiences. Students will, for example, be able to be taken on trips to inaccessible places like the deep ocean without needing to leave the classroom.

However, the devices to be able to process such speeds are still emerging and significant investment is required to bring the required gigabit networks. In order for Malta to be equipped with such a network as is being demonstrated, Nelson added, the right regulatory and investment environment must exist.

"We believe that the proposed merger with Melita can create the right conditions for this type of investment, given the size and economics of the Maltese market.

"Today we're inviting everyone into the conversation: imagine what we could do with such technology.  

Meanwhile, Vodafone Malta is offering the best of today's technology: 4G+, which is up to 60% faster than any other mobile network in Malta at 210 Mbps.

"And we are proud to announce that since its launch earlier this summer, 4G+ has been extended to cover over half the Maltese Islands."

Head of Technology Sheila Kavanagh said that it was worth noting that most Maltese customers had never seen anything close to such speeds from their fixed home internet provider either.

According to the latest MCA data, 86% of households have a fixed internet solution that is lower than 100 Mbps - less than half of what Vodafone offers on its unique 4G+ mobile network today.

"Of this 86%, over 54% have even less than 50 Mbps, which is even less than a quarter of the speed we offer through 4G+. This shows how far ahead Vodafone Malta has always been in leading the evolution of network speeds in Malta compared to our fixed competitors."

In an intervention from Estonia, Parliamentary Secretary for Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri explained that back in July in Tallinn, he had signed an EU declaration on behalf of Malta which confirmed the willingness of member states to position Europe as the lead market for 5G.

"We agreed on a set of steps that we will take to facilitate the rollout of 5G infrastructure and related services across Europe, including Malta," Schembri said.

"This groundwork will help companies like Vodafone to invest and upgrade their infrastructure for Maltese consumers to benefit from gigabit speeds.

"I therefore commend the efforts shown by Vodafone to innovate by demonstrating the foundations for 5G technology, permitting new digital services that will positively affect the lifestyle of our citizens."