History

Preceding opening of the Hungarian telecommunications market and as one of the first not government-owned telecommunications companies, Hungaro DigiTel Plc. has been founded in 1990. The company entered into its first service agreement with the Állami Biztosító.

The company has installed its VSAT system in Lakihegy in 1994, which was globally one of the most modern systems of those days (Clearlink 400 system of AT&T Tridom). In October 1994, the network of GIRO Elszámolásforgalmi Ltd.. has been established.

In December 1994 we signed the VSAT service agreement with OTP Bank Ltd., as a result of which, during the first two years, the company installed around 350 stations and switched them into the satellite data transmission network established for OTP Bank Ltd. OTP Bank Ltd. is still the largest user of the terminal points operated by Hungaro DigiTel Plc.

As a result of the negotiations started in 1996, the company purchased and started operating the second satellite communications system in 1997 (a system of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., one of the most significant VSAT vendors of the World).

The new system has been ideal for serving ATM and POS terminals with lower data traffic requirements, and we can say, that Hungaro DigiTel Plc. played a significant role in data transmission of banknote dispenser automats and popularization of cash-saving payment methods. By these days – because the number of operated banknote dispenser automats reaches 500 –, market share of Hungaro DigiTel Ltd. is significant in this sector (~ 25%).

In 2000, owing to installation of the improved, new generation version (our TDM system) of the second system, beyond higher data rates, new perspectives have also been opened to providing possible services, which directed the commercial efforts of the company to new market segments.

The number of fuel station operating companies participating in fuel distribution and being partners of Hungaro DigiTel Plc. has been continuously increasing, and by now, the largest distributors of the Hungarian market are welcomed customers of the company. In harmony with the company’s expansion efforts across the borders of Hungary, we also acquired assignments for solution of data transmission tasks of these multinational companies in certain countries in Middle Europe.

In 2004, Hungaro DigiTel Plc. – uniquely among the Hungarian satellite transmission service providers – has started its fourth system providing independent broadband satellite data transmission services ( our broadband VSAT system), supplied by ND Satcom AG. The new system meets the requirements of the international broadband satellite standard (DVB-RCS).

With the new satellite data transmission system, which maximally realizes servicing of the market requirements showing towards broadband data transmission, Hungaro DigiTel Plc.has established its presence in the market segments of broadband data transmission and Internet access. By these days, this is represented by more than five hundred operated terminal points.

In order to provide solution for the increasing demand of broadband VSAT services in Hungary, Hungaro DigiTel Plc has placed into operations its new iDirect system at the end of 2007.

Our iDirect system offers increased upload and download bandwidth and supports new advanced VSAT features, giving HDT the opportunity to provide service for the customers with business critical, resource demanding applications.

In February, 2010 Hungaro DigiTel put into operation its new central broadband satellite system delivered by Viasat. Due to the state-of-the-art DVB-S2 technology the system provides more efficient space segment utilization with same quality parameters.