As Malta’s catalyst for digital and sustainable transformation, GO Plc is on a mission to ensure lives and livelihoods are supported through innovation, collaboration, and inclusion. We catch up with Nikhil Patil, CEO, as he reflects on a successful year for the company, whose nationwide fibre roll-out has made Malta a ‘true fibre island’.
CONNECTING PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Following a year of transformation and solid growth, we revisit GO Plc (GO) whose continued investment in Malta’s digital infrastructure remains significant.
In 2024, the company achieved record results by generating €244.9 million in revenue – up 3.8 percent year-on-year.
It also completed a nationwide fibre roll-out, making Malta a ‘true fibre island’ and a frontrunner in Europe in terms of coverage.
“We’re seeing ever greater demand for high-capacity fixed mobile connectivity, which is why GO’s island-wide roll-out now covers almost the entire country.
“Users can now experience speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps),” introduces Nikhil Patil, CEO.
Elsewhere, the company has expanded beyond traditional telecommunications (telecoms) having pushed ahead with its ventures into the energy sector.
“Following our 51 percent acquisition of AQS Med (AQS) late last year, we launched GO Energi, a solar-financing service that makes photovoltaic (PV) installations affordable by offering zero upfront cost,” Patil informs.
Indeed, with the Maltese telecoms market advancing rapidly, many operators are diversifying into cloud, entertainment, and Internet of Things (IoT).
In 2024, GO’s subsidiaries followed suit, with BMIT Technologies p.l.c. (BMIT) growing its cloud and data centre services, CyberSift Holdings Ltd expanding into advanced cybersecurity platforms, and energy offshoots AQS and SENS Innovation Group Ltd rolling out solar leases and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
In addition, GO’s acquisition of Klikk – a retail chain focusing on all things digital – means that it’s even better positioned to serve customers’ needs through hardware and retail support, representing digital inclusion in its most tangible form.
All these initiatives flow directly from the company’s ultimate purpose – to drive a digital Malta where no one is left behind.
50 YEARS OF SUCCESS
As Malta’s technology industry faces headwinds – from rising costs and heavy investment requirements – supply chain inflation and the need to replace legacy copper networks have begun to impose both financial and logistical challenges on the sector.
“We’ve navigated these obstacles by sharing resources across the GO group and focusing on efficiency,” Patil tells us.
For example, the company’s automated network tools have enabled it to resolve 88 percent of internet faults remotely.
When it comes to standing out from the competition, GO leads the market, having delivered the fastest growth in broadband subscribers in Malta thanks to its superior network quality and innovative offerings.
With the country’s telecoms landscape continually moving towards full fibre and 5G coverage, bundled digital services, and greener operations, GO remains at the forefront.
Having grown exponentially over the past five decades, the company has transformed from a national telecom monopoly into a fully-fledged digital services group.
With this year marking GO’s 50th anniversary, Patil considers what this important milestone means to the company.
“Celebrating 50 years is about reflecting on all those achievements – record numbers of customers connected, new technologies pioneered, and millions of families and businesses empowered,” he smiles.
More than just nostalgia, half a century in operation also underlines GO’s commitment to the future, reinforcing its mission to be ‘Malta’s catalyst for digital and sustainable transformation’.
On a mission to drive a digital Malta where no one is left behind, achieving this milestone demonstrates the company’s purpose in action through resilient infrastructure, constant reinvention, and by serving every corner of the island.
“As CEO, I see this anniversary as both a celebration of our legacy and a springboard for the next 50 years of innovation and impact,” Patil emphasises.
“As CEO, I see this anniversary as both a celebration of our legacy and a springboard for the next 50 years of innovation and impact”
Nikhil Patil, CEO, GO Plc
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Having completed its full fibre roll-out, over 392,000 homes across Malta are now supplied by GO’s new network, meaning every town and village on the island and in neighbouring Gozo are fibre connected.
Almost all of the company’s fixed-line customers are already using fibre, and the few remaining pockets – mainly in Valetta’s historic centre – will be connected imminently.
“This achievement makes Malta one of the most digitally connected countries in Europe,” Patil insights.
Importantly, having truly universal fibre means GO can now switch off its old copper networks and focus on delivering cutting-edge services and fast Gbps speeds to every home and business.
“This fibre completion is GO’s proudest project to date as it future-proofs Malta’s connectivity for decades,” he adds.
International connectivity is a strategic priority for GO as it is for Malta, and the company has historically been at the forefront in this respect, investing heavily in submarine infrastructure to reinforce the country’s links to the globe.
GO’s submarine cable network comprises three fully independent systems – two connecting Malta from local diverse points and landing on the east and west coasts of Sicily, and its most recent cable system, LaValette, that directly connects Malta to France and Egypt.
LaValette in particular, commissioned in 2021, was the first ever cable to land on Malta’s west coast, providing new diverse capabilities to the nation and, unlike any live current system in service, bypasses Italy completely.
LaValette also lands directly in a global data centre where hyperscalers and Tier 1 providers of infrastructure are present.
GO is continuously maintaining its submarine infrastructure, which involves upgrading capacity and equipment from time to time to address both the additional bandwidth and operational requirements of its customers and the nation in general.
“These upgrades involve installing the latest coherent optical transmission technologies, substantially increasing our cables’ capacity,” Patil explains.
In fact, the company has done this before in a previous major upgrade, and it expects similar multiplier gains as it goes along with the next upgrades which are currently underway.
“GO will remain the only Maltese operator with fully redundant, ultra-high-capacity connections, spanning from our core infrastructure to mainland Europe,” he prides.
This means richer connectivity, lower latency, and higher available bandwidth for customers and businesses, alongside a stronger, more secure digital gateway for the nation.
“It’s another example of GO investing in critical infrastructure ‘in the background’ to keep Malta at the forefront of global connectivity and a place where no one is left behind,” Patil reflects.
A LIVING SHOWCASE OF SUSTAINABILITY
GO’s new headquarters in Żejtun is designed to be a living showcase of sustainability, aligning perfectly with the company’s green vision.
This building is amongst the most advanced net zero facilities on the island, equipped with over 3,000 solar PV panels integrated into the roofs, walls, and car parks, which generate around 1 megawatt hour of renewable energy daily.
The campus has extensive water-saving features, including a large reservoir to capture rainwater for reuse in flushing and irrigation, and motion-sensor lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that only activate when areas are occupied.
“Even our vehicle fleet at Żejtun has been electrified, lowering fuel use, and we’ve consolidated teams on-site to reduce the need to commute,” Patil details.
By moving employees into a solar-powered, 100 percent electrified building, GO has taken major green steps which align with its commitments to reducing carbon and replacing old copper with fibre.
“Every aspect – from energy generation to materials and operations – is geared to cut emissions,” he highlights.
In short, Żejtun is not just a workspace – it is GO’s tangible pledge in brick and mortar that a sustainable, low-carbon future is fully compatible with a world-class telecoms service.
Elsewhere, the company has made steady progress towards its goals of reducing its carbon footprint by 42 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050, in line with the Paris agreement.
Its complete fibre network, for example, is inherently greener than the old copper grid, delivering three to five times more bandwidth per watt.
Employee behaviour is also changing, with the company having introduced a ‘GO Green’ training programme, which encourages staff to think ‘energy first’ in everything they do – from virtual meetings to supplier choices.
Although these initiatives have significantly lowered GO’s emissions intensity, Patil notes how it is still too early to give a final percentage.
“Qualitatively, the changes are real. For example, consolidating IT into our new energy smart data centre and moving to paperless billing have already shaved off measurable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” he notes.
Importantly, the company has set these goals scientifically and regularly monitors progress.
“So far, we are on track, with our investments in renewables, energy efficiency, and sustainable offices giving us confidence that we will meet our 42 and 90 percent respective targets on schedule.”
For GO, sustainability is not just a one-off project but part of its DNA, and the company’s green outlook is evident in its robust approach to carbon accounting.
“Our combined aim is to make GO indispensable to Maltese life – not just for connectivity, but as a trusted partner in technology, media, and sustainability”
Nikhil Patil, CEO, GO Plc
FUTURE PRIORITIES
In addition to its environmental targets, GO has set a range of strategic goals across business, technology, and social fronts.
“We have five clear strategic pillars guiding our future, including ‘investing in a digital Malta’ and ‘providing the best customer experience’.”
As it aims to continue growing the country’s digital economy, GO is rolling out even more fibre-based services and cloud offerings.
Over the past six years, it has returned over €154 million to shareholders, and it intends to maintain a balanced capital-allocation strategy, continuing dividends whilst investing aggressively in innovation such as fibre, networks, green energy, and start-ups.
The company also prioritises digital adoption; having built ubiquitous coverage across the island, its next targets include increasing household uptake of high-speed plans and bundled services.
“Internally, we have a goal to become a fully digital enterprise – automating more processes, embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud – to stay lean and responsive,” Patil comments.
It also plans to accelerate services like GO Energi – which is aiming to become Malta’s top clean-energy provider by leveraging the company’s existing 500,000+ connections – alongside expanding content and smart-home bundles.
Additionally, it is growing its corporate venture capital firm, GO Ventures, and its burgeoning portfolio in HealthTech and FinTech.
The company also has human capital and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, with one strategic pillar being to ‘be the best place to work and grow.’
As such, GO continually strives for top marks in employee engagement and diversity because it knows that attracting talent fuels innovation.
“Our combined aim is to make GO indispensable to Maltese life – not just for connectivity, but as a trusted partner in technology, media, and sustainability,” he posits.
Whether customer, shareholder, or community-focused, all these non-carbon targets are fully aligned with the company’s core purpose and are measured year-on-year.
Looking ahead, Patil wants GO to be remembered as Malta’s catalyst for digital and sustainable transformation, whether through trialling even newer wireless technologies, expanding cybersecurity, or helping government and industry harness AI and 5G.
The company’s purpose of achieving a connected and inclusive Malta guides it every day, with each of GO’s achievements a team effort thanks to the diligence of its dedicated teams.
“In collaboration with our broad range of subsidiaries and partners, we remain committed to investing, innovating, and caring – ensuring that as Malta’s technology evolves, GO will be there, connecting people and ideas for decades to come,” Patil passionately concludes.
