OpNet
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| Formerly | Megabeam Italia S.p.A. (2001-2005) Linkem S.p.A. (2005-2022) |
|---|---|
| Company type | S.p.A. |
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Davide Rota |
| Headquarters | , Italy |
Area served | Italy |
Key people | Davide Rota (CEO) |
| Products | Fixed wireless access |
| Owner | Jefferies Financial Group (49.99%) |
| Parent | Jefferies Financial Group |
| Subsidiaries | Tiscali (58.60%) |
| Website | www |
OpNet S.p.A. (formerly Linkem S.p.A.) is an Italian telecommunications company specializing in wireless broadband connection (HiperLAN, WiMAX and Wi-Fi).[1]
The company has a network of wholly owned subsidiaries with 1,200 antennas (BTS) located throughout Italy, providing Internet connectivity to surrounding areas. The Linkem network is an alternative to traditional telecommunications networks, allowing signal transmission to areas that lack cellular connectivity.[2]
The firm was Italy's first Wireless Internet Service Provider,[3] serving about 2,000 municipalities covering 40% of Italy's land area.[4]
History[edit]
The company was founded in 2001 as Megabeam Italia S.p.A. Its founders include a group of managers supported by Angel Ventures Serviços de Consultoria S.A. of Gianfilippo Cuneo.[5] It was the first Italian Wireless Internet Service Provider, originally serving around 100 thousand users through a Wi-Fi network predominantly available in hotels, airports (including New York City JFK and London Heathrow), stations and service areas of the trunk A4 Milan-Brescia.
Telecom Italia indicated interest in the acquisition of Linkem for 11.5 million euros, but the Italian antitrust authorities required conditions the firm would not accept.[6] Specifically, Telecom Italia would have had to separate wi-fi from all other services, give up all exclusive licenses held by itself as well as those held by Linkem, and grant competitors roaming access to the network, ending discriminatory pricing.[7]
In 2005 the Linkem brand was created, and in June 2006 the company became Linkem S.p.A. In 2010 the company purchased Maxi-Com and Retelit.
In 2008, A.F.T. S.p.A. (Linkem's parent company) won the notice of allocation for WiMAX frequency bands 3.4-3.6 GHz,[8] in 13 Italian regions[9] with their offer of 34,420,000 euros. With its WiMAX service, Linkem reaches more than 80% of Italy's population - becoming the first Italian operator to launch a WiMAX-based voice and broadband service.[10]
In 2010 Telecom Italia developed an agreement with Linkem for the rent of its WiMAX networks, offering free WiMAX in the regions where Linkem has its own network.[11]
By 2012, Linkem was serving a population of over 27 million residents.
2015 marked the activation of LTE coverage on 3.5 GHz frequencies (Linkem proprietary frequencies) with a campaign to replace outdoor WiMAX antennas.[12]
On 30 December 2021, Tiscali S.p.A. and Linkem S.p.A. approved the project for the merger by incorporation of Linkem Retail S.r.l. in Tiscali S.p.A.
On 27 April 2022, the shareholders' meetings of Tiscali and Linkem approved the merger between the two companies.
On 1 August 2022, the two companies completed the merger process: Tiscali S.p.A. integrated Linkem Retail S.r.l., with the consequent transfer of the branch to the subsidiary Tiscali Italia S.p.A., while Linkem S.p.A. became the majority shareholder of Tiscali S.p.A. (58.60%).[13][14][15]
In September 2022 the company changed its name again to OpNet S.p.A., deciding to focus on the wholesale market, while the Linkem brand still remains active under the control of Tiscali.[16]
Ownership[edit]
In 2003 shareholders were reported to be Angel Ventures Serviços de Consultorio S.A. (42%), 2G Investments S.p.A. (28%), Cuneo & Associati S.r.l. (4%), Marco Airoldi (4%), Rocco Rosa (7%), Davide Rota (12%) and Ser-Fid Italian Trust and Audit S.p.A. (3%). In July 2009, the company A.F.T. S.p.A., which owns 100% of the share capital of Linkem S.p.A., was owned by several investment funds, including Ramius Capital Group, Vintage Investment, Leucadia, and 2G investments.
Communication and sponsorships[edit]
- Testimonial 2012–2013 in planning national TV: Belén Rodríguez and Francesca Piccinini
- Technology partner FIPAV
- Title sponsor of the Italian club (Linkem Club Italy[17]) 2009–2010
- Official sponsor of the 'Foggia Calcio for the Pro League championship 2010–2011
- Official sponsor Avezzano Rugby 2011–2012
- Official sponsor Messina Volleyball 2011–2012
- Official sponsor of the San Nicola stadium in Bari 2012–2013
- Official sponsor of the basketball team Linkem NPC Rieti 2012–2013
- Official sponsor PlayOff Volleyball male Serie A 2012–2013
See also[edit]
- Fixed wireless access
- HiperLAN
- Internet Service Provider
- WiMAX
- Wireless broadband
- Wireless Internet Service Provider
References[edit]
- ^ "Chi siamo: Azienda". www.linkem.com (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-09-27.
- ^ Linkem ricalcola il divario digitale
- ^ Linkem: network nazionale con il WiMax vinte 13 licenze • Breitband Internet in Südtirol
- ^ Tlc: Linkem aumenta il capitale di 50 mln per la rete Wi-Max | Radiocor, giovedi' 14 maggio 2009 (articolo 703560)
- ^ La concorrenza e Internet senza fili
- ^ "La Repubblica/lf_new_economy: Telecom Italia rinuncia a Megabeam ...ma rilancia sul wi-fi con Boingo".
- ^ "Telecom: Rinuncia al wi fi Megabeam dopo Antitrust -2- | Radiocor, venerdi' 12 settembre 2003 (Articolo 319555)". Archived from the original on 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
- ^ "Wi-Max in Italia: I vincitori dell'asta. Entro 30 mesi dovranno essere coperte il 60% aree previste". 28 February 2008.
- ^ "Linkem, ecco il suo manifesto per il WiMax". Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
- ^ History
- ^ "Oneadsl.it - This domain was registered with Match.it".
- ^ "Rota: "Digital gap, dal Wimax ottimi riscontri"". 5 June 2013.
- ^ "Fusione Linkem-Tiscali: leader nella banda ultralarga | Linkem". www.linkem.com (in Italian). Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ "The new Tiscali is born: the business plan has been endorsed by the banking institutions and will be implemented starting from August 1st, 2022, overcoming the certified plan pursuant to section 67 of the Italian Bankruptcy Law" (PDF). www.tiscali.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ bebeez (2022-04-27). "Linkem Retail and Tiscali's general meetings approve the announced merger of Linkem's newco in the Milan-listed tlc". BeBeez. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "- Key4Biz - Linkem diventa Opnet. Davide Rota 'Operatore 5G wholesale only, puntiamo sui Verticals' - OpNet S.p.A." opnet.it. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ "Penpuok". Archived from the original on 2017-04-04. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
External links[edit]
