Broadnet Holdings BV
Encyclopedia
Broadnet Holdings BV was the holding company of the Broadnet group of companies. Broadnet assembled a portfolio of wireless broadband internet licenses in Europe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The company marketed its services to other businesses.
began purchasing wireless spectrum licenses though his company European Telecoms Holdings. In 1998, Comcast Corporation invested funds and Broadnet Holdings BV was formed.
Following the Comcast investment, Comcast owned 62.5% of the firm
and European Telcoms Holdings owned the remaining 37.5%.
to establish point-to-point connections. The signal was broadcast from radios located on towers or building rooftops. Customer facilities would have a smaller radio transmitter.
It also attained licenses in Austria, Switzerland and Greater London. It established companies in other countries for the purpose of bidding on licenses, but it was not always successful. Broadnet bid for a license in Ireland but was beaten by Eircom
. Broadnet sued the telecoms regulator that awarded the licenses, but settled.
In 2002, Comcast began divesting of its stake. It closed the Brussels headquarters and Broadnet Germany was acquired by Mediascape.
Beginnings
The genesis of Broadnet dates back to 1996, when the Irish entrepreneur Declan GanleyDeclan Ganley
Declan James Ganley is a British-born Irish citizen, entrepreneur, businessman and political activist. He is founder and chairman of a political party, Libertas with pan-European ambitions...
began purchasing wireless spectrum licenses though his company European Telecoms Holdings. In 1998, Comcast Corporation invested funds and Broadnet Holdings BV was formed.
Following the Comcast investment, Comcast owned 62.5% of the firm
and European Telcoms Holdings owned the remaining 37.5%.
Technology
The company provided broadband internet using wireless spectrum in the 20.8 GHz frequency. The company used radio equipment manufactured by Lucent and AlcatelAlcatel
Alcatel Mobile Phones is a brand of mobile handsets. It was established in 2004 as a joint venture between Alcatel-Lucent of France and TCL Communication of China....
to establish point-to-point connections. The signal was broadcast from radios located on towers or building rooftops. Customer facilities would have a smaller radio transmitter.
Licence Acquisition
By 2000 it attained spectrum licenses in Germany, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and Norway.It also attained licenses in Austria, Switzerland and Greater London. It established companies in other countries for the purpose of bidding on licenses, but it was not always successful. Broadnet bid for a license in Ireland but was beaten by Eircom
Eircom
Eircom Group LTD is a telecommunications company in the Republic of Ireland, and a former state-owned incumbent. It is currently the largest telecommunications operator in the Republic of Ireland and operates primarily on the island of Ireland, with a point of presence in Great Britain.As Bord...
. Broadnet sued the telecoms regulator that awarded the licenses, but settled.
Operations
Broadnet launched operations in Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Norway and the Czech Republic. Some other markets had network infrastructure for regulatory purposes, but were never commercially launched.Purchase by Comcast
Broadnet considered raising around $1bn to roll out broadband services via a flotation or private placing, but did not do so. Comcast bought out European Telcom Holding's Share to become the sole owner .In 2002, Comcast began divesting of its stake. It closed the Brussels headquarters and Broadnet Germany was acquired by Mediascape.