History

"Ukrainian High Technologies" Ltd., the owner of the Alternet trademark, was founded in 2000. In July of the same year, the company received a license to use the 3.4-3.7 GHz frequency range, allowing it to plan the broad-band data transmission network using the LMDS standard (Local Multipoint Distribution System).

This technology was invented to help operators to develop the wire network infrastructure using wireless technologies, while at the same time increasing the channel capacity. The data transmission rate within a LMDS standard network is up to 8 Mb/s per channel, while the coverage radius is up to 15 km from the central station.

In those days, there was high demand for broadband access services in the telecommunication market. However, the LMDS standard equipment was costly and was used mainly for service provision for large corporate customers, that did not allow the network to develop and the customer base to expand.

The plans of "Ukrainian High Technologies" Ltd. included construction of central stations in the largest cities of Ukraine. However, by the time the network in Kyiv and Kharkiv was over, a new standard of broadband wireless connection was introduced - 802.16, also known as WiMAX.

New equipment of this standard allowed to transmit data within the company's frequency range to distances of 30 km from the central station, which is twice as long as under the LMDS standard. Furthermore, the data transmission rate could be up to 12 Mb/s per channel. The cost of WiMAX equipment was much lower than LMDS, increasing the economic efficiency of the network construction with such equipment.

Significant investments were required for the construction of a new network. In 2005, "Ukrainian High Technologies" Ltd. had reached an agreement on investments with Intel Capital and Russian Technologies venture funds.

On November 10, 2005, the Alternet trademark network was officially opened. The Minister of Transport and Communication of Ukraine Victor Bondar was present at the opening press-conference.

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