Vodafone Malta yesterday launched the highest mobile internet speeds nationwide, reaching a staggering 42Mbps capability in key areas and high traffic sites. The operator now boasts the fastest commercially available speed on 3G technology in Malta.

Vodafone has also increased its five-year investment of €50 million announced last year by €5 million; €11 million will be channelled towards customer relations. Chief executive officer Balesh Sharma explained Vodafone has already established a 21.6Mbps capability across all of its coverage area, and was in the process of rolling out a 42Mbps capability at key areas.

This was another first for Vodafone, after the operator deployed a 14.4Mbps across its network in April 2010, Mr Sharma said.

This latest development underlines Vodafone’s promise to provide its customers with leading capabilities across the globe, ensuring that Malta continues to enjoy cutting edge telecoms technologies to drive the country’s digital agenda, Mr Sharma added.

Communications Minister Austin Gatt yesterday said this launch into a new technological era as “exciting times”.

“These types of investments have put Malta at the forefront of communications, and encouraged investors to move to Malta. This is not just about speed and numbers. It’s about the economic health of a country. This investment will create new jobs, attract investors, and tourists,” Dr Gatt said. The minister said the country had proved it was able to adapt to constant technological development.

He recalled a time – more than 20 years ago – when mobile phones were cumbersome and their tariffs were prohibitive.

“However, we’ve come a long way from that, and hopefully tariffs will keep changing in consumers’ favour,” Dr Gatt said.