Gibtelecom rolls out new 4G+ service

Gibtelecom rolled out a new 4G+ service yesterday that will increase mobile broadband speeds by up to 225 megabytes per second, or 30 times faster than 3G.

Adrian Ochello, Head of Marketing and Business Development, said Gibtelecom has effectively ‘skipped a generation’ of mobile data technology by moving to 4G+.

“This is a first for us and many states around Europe,” he said.

“We are up there with the best of technological providers in Europe and we are offering improvements on speed, responsiveness and coverage.”

The telecommunications company also launched new mobile commercial packages which increase the data available on existing packs by up to four times.

Gibtelecom is not charging anything extra for the service but both pre-paid and contract customers with 4G-compatible devices will require a new SIM card.

This can be applied for online and a new SIM card will be posted, or it can be collected at the company’s John Mackintosh Square shop.

“This will transform how people can move around Gibraltar because virtually the whole territory will be covered,” said Tim Bristow, Gibtelecom CEO, at the launch yesterday.

“In an age where folk are increasingly reliant on being able to communicate on the move, this substantial investment in a new faster mobile network should facilitate their every need.”

Jansen Reyes, Director of Technology at Gibtelecom, said that, as well as improved download speed, websites will react instantaneously with 4G+ and the enhanced coverage will also improve the service inside buildings.

“4G+ operates on a lower frequency which means that it will work much better inside of buildings where traditionally you may have struggled to maintain a connection,” he said.

Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister and Gibtelecom Chairman, welcomed the company embracing the future of mobile communications at the launch of the new service.

“Gibtelecom has once again showed that it is keeping the pace with technology and on a par with much larger operators around the world,” he said.

The company also announced that it will be rewarding customers who both contract the new mobile plan and have a SuperSwifty broadband with Gibtelecom.

“We will be doubling the mobile data allowances and home broadband speeds after Easter for these loyal customers,” Mr Bristow said.

The 4G+ network was done in partnership with technology giant Ericsson, which was represented at the launch.

“This is the next step in our longstanding relationship with Gibtelecom, which spans over 20 years since the mobile was first introduced in Gibraltar,” said Ericsson’s Jose Antonio Lopez Muñoz.

“The technology behind this new 4G+ network will revolutionise the way Gibtelecom’s customers work and communicate.”

The company also launched a new set of pay monthly mobile plans which for the first time include a bundle of local minutes, text messages and data, with top up options too.