In the world Internet television and radio is not news; but new digital television and radio technologies have arrived to Lithuania not so long ago. Last year JSC“Skyneta” began implementation of the project: connection to Internet using optical cable network “Skynet”.
Optical cables created twenty years ago are changing the ways we reach media today. Today we can use computer for our work, watch TV, listen to the radio, and play games through the network server. In the world Internet television and radio is not news; but new digital television and radio technologies have arrived to Lithuania not so long ago. Last year JSC“Skyneta” began implementation of the project: connection to Internet using optical cable network “Skynet”.
“Skyneta” is the branch firm of JSC“Penki kontinentai”. This firm is specializing in installation of local and public networks and their maintenance, in repairing computer equipment, it prepares courses, provides with consultations. Personnel of the firm are the specialists in network installation, who have got certificates of “Microsoft”, “Cisco”, RAD, “Motorola” and AMP. “Skynet” network is one of the firm’s basic projects. This is cable computer network that lets the users connected to it have unlimited access to Internet. It is expected to connect about 30 thousand users of every region of Vilnius to Internet.
Now 120 Vilnius residents are connected to “Skynet” network. All users’ computers are connected by optical cables, which allow accessing Internet. The users can cooperate not only in world network, but in the local one (Ethernet), too.
If the user is connected to Internet through “Skynet” he can stay connected to it all day long. So Internet can be used even as an information center. Telephone may be totally substituted with Internet chat programs, IRC, ICQ, videoconferences.
Internet TV
Connection speed of “Skynet” network (10Mbps for the consumer and 100 Mbps in the main channels) lets watch local and Internet television. Local TV channel TV3 is already transmitted. Transmission of other TV channels is also expected after certain contracts are made. Local test TV channel of “Skynet” that transmits DVD quality films is launched.
Internet radio
Besides digital television digital radio channel “Russkoje radio” and local MP3 music channel are transmitted. It is expected to transmit other programs, too; “M1 Plius” and “Radiocentras” are the first in the list.
Games
Skynet has local servers of computer games (“Quake ll”, “Quake lll”, “Unreal Tournament”). While playing one with each other through the network the users have great advantage: fast connection speed and stable connection.
Alternative Solution
If one does not have a computer he still has an opportunity to browse in Internet and watch digital TV channels. Television set can be easily adjusted to it. “Skynet” engineers are preparing to offer the residents an alternative solution – installation of special “Set-Top” equipment. It is expensive in the meanwhile; costs about 1000 Lt. But “Skyneta” will offer hire-purchase to the customers. Using this equipment the user will pay 40-50 Lt monthly tariff.
Tariffs
Installation of the network costs 129 Lt and monthly tariff for the services is 118 Lt. For the ordinary Lithuanian internet user this is perhaps a great sum, but active user who pays over 200 Lt a month if browses in Internet using telephone line, wins, of course. Furthermore, “Skynet” users may be proud of opportunity they are given: to use up-to-date technologies, watch digital TV and listen to the digital radio.
According to Jaroslav Perepelica, firm’s manager, “Skynet” network will get first profits not soon. In order to gain profits in two years the users should pay 700-800 Lt monthly tariff. And popularity of “Skynet” depends on how active Lithuanian Internet users will be.
“Skynet” is the pioneer in the field of Internet radio and television in Lithuania as there are no other companies, which can offer such kind of service.
Official web-site of “Skynet” >>>