Linkem S.p.A. is an Italian telecommunications company specializing in wireless broadband connection. The company has a network of wholly owned subsidiaries with 1,200 antennas 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. The firm was Italy's first Wireless Internet Service Provider, serving about 2,000 municipalities covering 40% of Italy's land area.
History
Linkem was founded in 2001 as Mega Beam Italia S.p.A. Its founders include a group of managers supported by AngelVentures Serviços de Consultoria S.A., of Gianfilippo Cuneo. 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, stations and service areas of the trunk A4 Milano-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. 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. 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, AFT S.p.A won the notice of allocation for WiMaxfrequency bands 3.4-3.6 GHz, in 13 Italian regions with their offer of 34,420,000 Lira. 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. 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. By 2012, Linkem was serving a population of over 27 million residents. 2015 marked the activation of LTE coverage on 3.5 GHz frequencies with a campaign to replace outdoor WiMax antennas. Ownership In 2003 shareholders were reported to be Angel Ventures Serviços de Consultorio SA, 2G Investments S.p.A., Cuneo & Associati srl, Marco Airoldi, Rocco Rosa, Davide Rota and Ser-Fid Italian Trust and Audit S.p.A. 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.
