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Company overview

Antenna Hungária has been a major player in the Hungarian telecommunications sector for decades. The company is the exclusive provider of national digital terrestrial television and analogue radio broadcasting in Hungary. The company is present with significant services in the fields of broadcasting, transmission, telecommunications, satellite communications and IT services related to telecommunications. With 5,700 employees, the company has a significant telecommunications portfolio in Hungary and the Western Balkans region. It is the second largest telecommunications group in Hungary.

AH Zrt. is one of the most successful Hungarian-owned information technology companies, continuously building its own networks, solutions, and services, and thus has a substantial infrastructure of its own. Antenna Hungária Zrt. was acquired by 4iG Plc (76.78%) and the Hungarian State (23.22%). 

 

 

 

2000
In place of the unencoded AM-Micro service, the encoded AntennaMikro program distributor service is started. The terrestrial television networks are switched over to NICAM-system stereo audio transmission.



Installation of the improved, new generation version (TDM+IP system) of the VSAT system commissioned as a second item.

2000-01
During the course of the privatization transaction, the ÁPV Rt’s main goal was selling with keeping 50%+1 of the votes. As a first step of the business, a share packet was sold within the scope of a stock market auction. The second phase of the privatization, where the Hungarian and international issuance of shares was planned together with a raise of the share capital, had to be delayed due to the unfavourable international capital market conditions. ÁPV Rt. sold shares in January 2001 within the scope of a closed sales meeting, while the employees of the company could buy shares during the employee share sales.

2001
To provide basis for the expanding telecommunications services, AnTetra Kft. in the name of the AH-group participated in the bidding for the 3.5 GHz frequency band, where the company acquired the 15 year usage rights for the highest quality frequency block. According to the option contract concluded with the Hungarian Post, it was possible to increase the shares in Vodafone, and AH raised its shares in the company to 30%.

The company acquires the ISO 9001:2000 certification for the whole broadcasting and telecommunication activity, and becomes a qualified NATO-supplier, too.

2002
From the National Mircowave Center, the 100 MHz Kossuth program's broadcast is started with a 10 kW semiconductor Harris transmitter.

HUNSAT becomes a company limited by shares. AH bought the Eurotel-shares of co-owner Vivendi Telecom.

2003
From 1 October 2003, the telecommunications activities were outsourced to Antenna Távközlési Rt. AH sells its AnteCom shares
The national construction of the 100 MHz band Kossuth transmitter network is started.

2004
By joining the European Union, all activities of the AH became liberalized. Although the broadcasting service continued to belong to the scope of state – maximized – prices according to the regulations in effect, AH’s monopoly has ceased to exist in this field.

The digital terrestrial (DVB-T) operating broadcasting starts from the Budapest and Kabhegy sites with the programs of three public service televisions, mtv, m2 and Duna Tv.

The broadcasting of the Katolikus Rádió’s program started at Szolnok with the old 135 kW BHG transmitter. With the reconstruction of the MW sites, modern TRAM transmitters are installed at Szombathely and Miskolc.

Installation of the fourth wideband VSAT system providing wideband satellite data transmission services, operating independently.

2004-05
In September 2004, the agreement was made to sell the shares of the Company in Vodafone Magyarország Rt. to Vodafone International for HUF 19.4 billion, and the transaction was closed in January 2005.

Government decision on AH’s privatization, based on this ÁPV Rt. was authorized to sell the Company’s share package providing 75%+1 of the votes on an open tender. ÁPV Zrt. announced the privatization tender in the spring of 2005. Swisscom Broadcast AG offering the highest purchase price became the 75% owner of Antenna Hungária. After the approval of the deal by the Office for Competition, the Swisscom Broadcast AG submitted a public purchase offer for all AH shares. Following this, the Swiss company exercised its purchase rights, and became the 100% owner of Antenna Hungária. Swisscom brought out the Antenna Hungária shares from the Budapest Stock Exchange, and reformed the operation of the company to private during 2006.

2005
The digital Antenna Digital microwave public service is started, replacing the analogue AntennaMikro service available around Budapest and its surroundings.
We started to broadcast the program of Katolikus Rádió with modern TRAM transmitters at Lakihegy (14,5 kW), Siófok (150 kW) and Szolnok (135 kW). Still in this year, we installed at Nyíregyháza the new 25 kW transmitter, and at Mosonmagyaróvár the new 5 kW TRAM transmitter.

2006
The long wave data transmission is started from Lakihegy with the new 100 kW TRAM transmitter.

2007
The French TDF S.A. agreed with Swisscom to purchase 100% of Antenna Hungária for HUF 80.7 billion. After the approval of the deal by the Office for Competition, the transaction was closed in July 2007.

A mobile television experiment starts with the involvement of T-Mobile. Later Vodafone Magyarország also joins the DVB-H experiments.
The construction of the 100 MHz Kossuth transmitter network is completed. The network was built at 47 sites partially from Harris, partially from Broadcast Electronics full semiconductor transmitters. At the same time, the 70 MHz Kossuth transmitter network was closed down. We started broadcasting the MR4 program with new TRAM transmitters at Lakihegy (20 kW), Szolnok (100 kW), Marcali (300 kW) and Kozármislény (20 kW). Start of DAB+, and TDMB experiments at Budapest.

Integration of Antenna Távközlési Zrt. into the parent company. To fulfil the increasing demand for broadband satellite service, HDT put into operation at the end of 2007 its new iDirect-make satellite central system.

2008
T-Mobile and Vodafone, as well as Nokia-Siemens and Antenna Hungária continue with the mobile television experiments, consisting of a successful technical test and a common „friendly user” test.

Jean-Francois Fenech is the managing director of AH. In March 2008, Antenna Hungária changed its logo and its image, inherited the common image elements of its parent company TDF, and by this Antenna Hungária joined the comprehensive brand of TDF.

In June 2008, Magyar Katolikus Rádió conducted a successful digital medium wave (DRM) test together with Antenna Hungária.

From the end of June 2008, Antenna Hungária started its HDTV service in its cable service without cable, accessible in Budapest and its surroundings, called Antenna Digital.

At the end of July 2008, Antenna Hungária and the Hungarian Television started an experimental HD broadcast on the terrestrial television broadcasting network in Budapest, on channel 38, during the time of the Peking Olympic Games. The participants of the experiment considered the HD transmission tests successful, and stopped them on 31 August.

The National Communications Authority announced a tender in the spring of 2008 for the operation of five terrestrial digital television program networks and one terrestrial digital radio program network, both tenders were won by Antenna Hungária. On 5 September 2008, the National Communications Authority and Antenna Hungária concluded the contracts for the operating concession of the digital terrestrial television and radio broadcasting networks. In the two separate tenders, Antenna Hungária acquired the concession to operate 5 television multiplexes and one radio multiplex for 12 years.

In September-October 2008, the antenna systems were rebuilt in Budapest on Széchenyi hill, at Kabhegy and Szentes, in order to start the digital terrestrial television broadcast in December.

From 6 October 2008, Antenna Hungária made available the HD broadcast of the channel m1 in Budapest, on the experimental system. The HD broadcast was received on channel 51 in MPEG-4 format until 16 November.

At 17:30 on 1 December 2008, the digital terrestrial television service containing subscription-free channels with the programme of MinDig TV, the HD programme of Duna TV and the SD programme of Duna II Autonómia.

On 1 December 2008, the DVB-H broadcast started in Budapest with three transmitters.

On 3 December 2008, the broadcast of a programme package started containing ATV and Hír TV in encoded SD format with subscription – as requesred by the channels -, included in the offer of the Antenna Digital service with the name Terra+.

Antenna Hungária made available the HD format programmes of m1 and m2 for a period of one month as an experiment, from 23 December 2008, within the scope of the MinDig TV terrestrial television service, and extended it to the end of February 2009 after its success.



2009
In January 2009, AH successfully started the digital broadcast from the transmission tower at Száva street in South Pest as a result of substantial investments in the past month.

From 23 January 2009, Antenna Hungária started an experimental broadcast on its DAB+ digital terrestrial radio network. The experiment is available in Budapest and its surroundings, and at the start it contained the channels MR1, MR2 and MR3 of the Hungarian Radio and three channels of the Swiss Satellite Radio. The experimental broadcast was expanded with new programmes in February 2009, including the channels of Sláger Rádió and Magyar Katolikus Rádió, and later Gazdasági Rádió and Radio Café, so the number of available programmes increased to ten.

AH was informed on 30 April that based on the official decision of the National Communications Authority, AH acquired the exclusive concession related to the microwave radio transmission systems (26 GHz) for frequency use of the ’E’ frequency block.

Hungaro DigiTel Kft., a member of the Antenna Hungária group, inherited the VSAT activities of GTS-Datanet Távközlési Kft., and by this HDT increased further its share in the satellite data transmission services segment in Hungary.

RTL Klub is included on the digital platform from 8 May, TV2 from 1 June (both in SD formats), and the two channels of Hungarian Television: m1 and m2 are also included from 1 July (in HD format). By this, the programme choice of MinDig TV increased to eight channels, including six free-to-air channels (RTL Klub, TV2, m1, m2, Duna TV and Duna II. Autonómia) as well as two pay channels (Hír TV, ATV).

2010
On 25 May 2010, Antenna Hungária Zrt's “MinDig TV Extra” subscription service was launched on the digital terrestrial television platform (DVB-T). In addition to MinDig TV's 7 free-to-air channels, the new service includes 10 popular thematic channels.

A 3DTV test was carried out as a world first by Antenna Hungária Zrt. and iPONT Kft. by transferring 3D video content over the digital terrestrial television system, displayed on a glasses-free television set.

As part of the MinDig TV service, a 24-hour information channel was launched, presenting the devices required to receive the MinDig TV and MinDig TV Extra services and providing detailed information on the available content, coverage, promotional campaigns and the availability of additional information.

2011
As a result of a long-term trade agreement between the Antenna Hungária Group and FM1 Zrt, the DAB+ service was resumed in Hungary. The agreement, on the basis of which the digital terrestrial broadcasting of the NeoFM national commercial radio station began on 1 June 2011, was a milestone in digital radio broadcasting.

The National Media and Infocommunications Authority and senior executives of the Antenna Hungária Group signed the amendment of the administrative contracts concerning the operational licence of the national digital television and radio broadcast networks, concluded in September 2008, enabling the AH to use multiplex B for DVB-T services rather than the broadcasting of DVB-H (mobile TV) services. AH implemented the change on 30 September 2011, replacing the DVB-H service by the new MinDig TV Extra Family package on multiplex B.
In the new MinDig TV Extra Family package, 13 popular channels were added to the 7 free-to-air channels and the 10 channels included in the Basic package.

MinDig TV reached another milestone: the free-to-air channels are now viewed in 300,000 households whereas MinDig TV Extra has more than 42,000 subscribers.

2012
On 1 June 2012, Antenna Hungária CEO and Board member Jean-Francois Fenech resigned from his position.

The Olympics were broadcast online by the MTVA in HD quality, to which the technical background (Content Delivery Network or CDN) was provided by Antenna Hungária. In addition to the HD service, the live 3D stream provided by Antenna Hungária also proved successful. It was the first time the application became commercially available in Hungary.

On 10 September 2012, András Piller was appointed Antenna Hungária's new CEO and Board member.

On 31 October 2012, the Barcs analogue M1 relay transmitter was switched off on the basis of the decision of the NMHH. Since that date, digital terrestrial has been the only terrestrial method public-service channels are transmitted in town.

2013
February 2013 - The National Media and Infocommunications Authority publishes the switch-off schedule of analogue terrestrial television broadcasting networks in Hungary. The analogue switch-off is scheduled to be completed on 31 October 2013.

March 2013 – The ConnectMedia digital business media service is launched.

May 2013 – Launch of a new MinDig TV application, available free of charge on Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices.

31 July 2013 - Phase I of the switch-off of analogue networks completed (Dunántúl North and Centre, Budapest and Pest County, Dél-Alföld).

September 2013 – Frequency replacements at 19 digital terrestrial television channels.

September 2013 – As a result of an agreement between AppZee Média Kft. and Antenna Hungária, streaming services are launched on ConnectMedia.

October 2013 – A pilot free-to-air hybrid television service is launched under the name MinDig TV Plusz.

30 October 2013 - Phase II of the switch-off of analogue networks completed (North and North-east Hungary, Dunántúl South). The analogue service is terminated on all sites.

December 2013 – The M3 and D1 channels are added to the MinDig TV Extra package, while PRO4 is replaced by Super TV2.

2014
In January 2014, the RTLII channel is added to the MinDig TV Extra Family package.

March 2014 – Antenna Hungária is repurchased by the Hungarian government (NISZ – Nemzeti Infokommunikációs Szolgáltató).

March 2014 – The C8 channel is added to the MinDig TV service, i.e. 8 channels are now available free of charge over the digital terrestrial television network.

May 2014 – Médiaklikk, a new hybrid television service is launched by the MTVA with the technical collaboration of Antenna Hungária.

June 2014 – The TV Paprika channel is added to the Family package.

August saw the launch of the pilot broadcast of the DIGI Sport 1 and DIGI Sport 2 channels on the DVB-T platform. On 1 October, both channels are added to the MinDig TV Extra package.

Following the re-nationalisation of Antenna Hungária, the owner's rights and obligations over the Company are vested with the Minister of National Development. Acting in that capacity, Minister Dr. Miklós Seszták appointed András Kápolnai the new CEO of Antenna Hungária Zrt. with effect from 10 September 2014.

By the launching of two new DVB-T multiplexes (D and E), from 1 October 2014, the MinDig TV Extra service offers 22 new channels to subscribers. As a result, 55 television channels are now available by roof antenna or, at certain locations, by indoor antenna.

1992
Antenna Hungária Hungarian Broadcasting and Radio Telecommunications Limited Company is founded as a single person closed company limited by shares.

We start broadcasting the program of the Danubius commercial radio station at Budapest by a 10 kW transmitter in the 100 MHz UHF band.

Foundation of the HUNSAT Association. The personal paging service is started by OPERATOR Hungaria Kft. majority owned by Antenna Hungária.



1993
AH and the Portugal Telecom group acquires the majority of shares in Hungaro DigiTel Kft and starts providing its VSAT service



1994
The broadcasting of the new public service channel, Duna Televízió is started. Antenna Hungária transmits experimental stereo transmissions for three months.
All UHF transmitters were integrated into the National Broadcasting Remote Supervision system realized during the year. The commercial broadcasting of Danubius starts at Kabhegy.
Commissioning of the first VSAT system. Foundation of AnteCom Rt.

1994-95
The first privatisation trial, the state intended to sell the shares (up to 50%+1 votes) to a professional investor by means of a tender, and intended the rest for an open stock market introduction by issuing shares. It was only the French Telediffusion de France (TDF) applying for the tender, and the government suspended the sale to a professional investor to a later date.



1995
Start of the DAB broadcast experiments from OMK with a 250 W transmitter by broadcasting 4 programs.



1996
AH starts as a first in Hungary the MPEG-2/DVB-S system digital satellite broadcasting on the AMOS 1 satellite with a four-channel uplink station.
Foundation of Eurotel Rt.



1997
Following the birth of the Media Law, the commerical channels are born in Hungary. Alongside the three public service programs, the programs of the commercial program providers (TV2 and RTL Klub) are broadcast by the company from 1997. As an implementation of the Media Law, the 100 MHz UHF transmitter networks were constructed using full semiconductor Harris-make transmitters (1-10 kW) with the two public service (Petőfi, Bartók) and two commercial (Danubius, Sláger) radio programs. The start of the national commercial television and radio made new investments necessary in Hungary, and therefore the owner raised the registered capital of AH by 2.5 billion HUF in January 1997.

Commissioning of the system of the second satellite communication system called Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.



1998
Commissioning of the SDH system digital microwave backbone network called National Transport Network consisting of 51 sites covering the whole country.
Constructing redundancy for the 100 MHz UHF transmitter network installed a year earlier, and switchover to dynamic RDS service.
The second digital satellite uplink station was commissioned for operation, allowing the transmission of 7 channels on the Hot Bird 3 satellite of Eutelsat in MPEG-2/DVB-S.

1998-99
Another raise of capital, and the introduction of the Company’s shares to the Budapest Stock Exchange. AH sells 100% of OPERATOR bought in the meanwhile.



1999
Vodafone became the third player of the Hungarian mobile market in 1999 by obtaining the concession for a fixed period of 15 years pertaining to the national public use mobile radio telephone service, in which AH had a 20% owner’s share at the foundation. AH sold OPERATOR Hungaria Kft.

AH starts its digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DVB-T) experiments in Budapest.

1969
First colour transmission.

1970
We started regular stereo broadcasting at Budapest on the 3rd program.

1971
The experimental broadcasts of program 2. were conducted two and then three times a week, partially with colour prorgrams.

1972
The construction of the national 70 MHz UHF transmitter network is completed. The three public service programs of the Hungarian Radio (Kossuth, Petőfi and Bartók) are transmitted from 10 transmitter stations. (OMK, Sopron, Kabhegy, Nagykanizsa, Pécs, Szentes, Komádi, Tokaj, Kékes and Miskolc). The programs Petőfi and Bartók were transmitted in stereo mode. The transmitter networks were built with 3 and 10 kW EMV-make full radio tube transmission equipment.

1974
Commissioning of new transmission towers at Tokaj, Nagykanizsa and Zalaegerszeg.
The Short-wave Radio Station at Jászberény is commissioned with 2 pcs of 250 kW transmitters.

1977
On the world telecommunications conference our country receives five satellite television channels. New mediator transmitters start operating at Nagymaros, Tamási, Körmend and Lenti.
The 2 MW capacity medium wave radio station, being the largest capacity in the country at Solt, is commissioned and inherits from Lakihegy the transmission of the Kossuth program on 540 kHz.

1981
The new transmission station at Kékestető is inaugurated. The experimental teletext transmissions start.
Start of constructing the third generation UHF transmitters, capable of operating without supervision. The first BHG-make UHF transmitters are installed at Kékestető.

1983
Győr MW station is built, and the 5 kW TESLA transmitter starts broadcasting the Petőfi and the regional programs.

1984
The first regional broadcasts are born: the city television regularly broadcasted at Pécs every Monday.

1986
New MW station built in Kozármisleny, and continued transmitting the Regional program broadcast with a new 20 kW Tesla transmitter, and the Petőfi program with a 10 kW Tesla transmitter.

1987
The Petőfi and the regional program are broadcast by the 2nd largest capacity 2x500kW MW transmitter at Marcali.
The AM-Micro system starts operating for special Budapest hotels. The aim is to provide access for hotel guests arriving from the West to programs in their own languages.

1988
The first 100 Mhz UHF commercial broadcast is started from Sopron by the 10 kW R&S transmitter.

1989
The AM-Micro system is reformed into a point-multipoint system accessible without limits for subscribers.

1990
With the split of the Hungarian Post, the Hungarian Broadcasting Corporation is founded.
Start of a national personal paging system on the Kossuth transmitter network.

1953
The first test transmissions of the 100/50 W capacity television transmitter from the postal experimental station at Gyáli road.

1954
The transmitter starts its experimental transmissions from the building of former Hotel Hargita on the Széchenyi hill.
At Pécs, the new 15 kW medium wave transmitter is installed.

1955
The first 60 m tall antenna tower is built on Széchenyi hill.

1956
At Miskolc, the Standard type 7 kW medium wave transmitter is installed, having its capacity increased to 15 kW later.

1957
From the 1 kW transmitter, the experimental transmission receivable in an area of 50–90 km starts, two days a week. The 94 m tall, 11-storey Széchenyi hill television station starts operating.

1958
Start of the regular broadcast in 1958 by means of the RFT make 30/10 kW capacity transmitter installed at Széchenyi hill.

1959
For covering the whole country with television broadcast, a network of backbone transmitters is constructed: mediator transmitters are installed at Pécs, Miskolc and Sopron.

1960
Transmitters are built at Szentes, Kékes and Tokaj.
At Budapest andPécs, experimental UHF transmissions are started with Soviet-made transmitters in the 70 MHz frequency band.

1961
The name of the company within the Hungarian Post became Postal Radio and Television Technical Directorate. The complex task of the Directorate included investment and development tasks of wireless telecommunications facilities and maintenance and operational tasks of established networks.

1962
A transmitter station is built at Kabhegy.

1966
At Mosonmagyaróvár, the new 5 kW medium wave transmitter is commissioned.

1967
Stereo broadcast experiments 3 times a week.

1968
The 2x150 kW new Kossuth transmitter at Lakihegy is commissioned.
A transmitter station is built at Komádi.

1925
Up to 1 January 1990, the Hungarian Post was the exclusive postal, telecommunications and - within this - broadcaster service provider in Hungary. In 1925, broadcasting starts in Hungary. The 2 kW Telefunken transmitter in Csepel starts transmission on the 572 m wavelength.

1927
Commissioning of the new 3 kW transmitter in Csepel. The number of radio subscribers exceeds 50,000.

1928
The Lakihegy Radio Station is constructed, and the new 20 kW Telefunken transmitter is commissioned for operation, being one of Europe’s modernest and highest capacity transmitter at the time.

1932
In Székesfehérvár, the first 15/5 kW short wave transmitter equipment was installed to start it by the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los-Angeles.

1933
The first radio stations in the countryside are inaugurated (Pécs, Magyaróvár, Miskolc, Nyíregyháza). The 120 kW large capacity transmitter is installed at Lakihegy with the „cigar” tower.

1945
Within the Hungarian Post, the Postal Radio Technical Directorate is formed. The transmitter at Pécs is recommissioned.

1946
The transmitter at Mosonmagyaróvár is recommissioned. Rebuilding of the 20 kW medium wave transmitter at Lakihegy, and increasing its capacity to 50 kW that year, making the reception of the Hungarian program in Europe possible again.

1948
To replace the demolished 120 kW transmitter at Lakihegy, the 135kW Standard type transmitter is commissioned with the rebuilt 314 m tower at Lakihegy.

1949
The transmitter at Nyíregyháza is recommissioned. At Szolnok, the 2x135 kW medium wave transmitter is commissioned. At Diósd, the 2 kW short wave transmitter starts operating.

1950
The tasks of the Postal Radio Technical Directorate ceased due to restructung is inherited by the newly established Radio Technical Operating Company. The founding decree rendered the maintenance of public service radio operations of the whole country to the activities of this company.
At Diósd, 2 pieces of short wave Standard transmitters are installed with 100 kW capacity each to cover North and South American areas.

1952
At Nyíregyháza and Szombathely, the operation of 25 kW Standard transmitters start. At Győr, the 0.4 kW transmitter start operating.

1953
At Balatonszabadi (Siófok), the 135 kW transmitter is installed.