GO has just completed a major upgrade project on its digital terrestrial television network. The investment in this project amounted to EUR2.3 million and more new channels will be added to the GO Plus line-up in the coming weeks.
This was announced by David Kay, chief executive officer of GO, at the official launch of the new GO Plus TV headend in Maghtab.
The investment in this upgrade covered the new headend, as well as new transmitting facilities at the Naxxar tower. The extended reach of GO’s DTTV is also underpinned by a number of repeaters around Malta and Gozo.
GO Plus TV subscribers in Gozo have also benefited from upgraded reception after a repeater was installed recently in the multi-function telecommunications tower in Nadur. As a result of the project, apart from the improved coverage, GO can now better utilise its resources so that additional TV channels may be added to the channel line-up.
GO Plus is working on enhancing the TV viewer experience with a high-quality electronic programme guide. It is also experimenting with secondary languages on channels where this is available and transmitting radio stations to complement the TV package.
The GO Plus TV service uses a high-end digital terrestrial set-top box. The box has an in-built modem and can provide digital Dolby surround. It enables customers to receive all the free-to-view transmissions. In addition, its Conditional Access Module allows access to optional Pay TV and Pay-per-View services. In addition to the STB, customers will also need a GO Smart Card and a small aerial, which can be installed by a GO technician.
All GO post-paid telephone customers (those receiving a bill for their fixed line) can get Free+ with no monthly rate and only Lm1 (EUR2.33) monthly service access fee, and the set-top box for free.
This gives GO Plus TV customers access to a minimum of 16 channels including TVM, Net TV, One TV, Education 22, UTV, Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3, Italia 1, Canale 5, Rete 4, La 7, Sat2000, World Fashion Channel, Euronews and CNN.
Customers can opt to upgrade to Silver+ at Lm5 (EUR11.65) a month or Gold+ at Lm9 (eur20.96) a month, in addition to the Lm1 (EUR2.33) monthly service access fee.
Silver+ gives customers access to no less than 35 channels, including top international channels offering music, news, documentaries, sports, cartoons and many others channels.
Silver+ includes the Free+ line-up as well as all Discovery Channel stations, Eurosport and Eurosport 2, MTV and VH1, Cartoon Network, Cartoon Network Too, Boomerang and Nickelodeon, E! Entertainment, Living TV, BBC World and BBC Prime, CNBC and Turner Classic Movies.