The first radio station in Lithuania began operating in Kaunas (\u017daliakalnis), marking the official start of radio broadcasting in Lithuania. The radio studio was set up in the same building as the radio station, a fortress on Vytautas Hill. From there, announcements, news, and weather forecasts from newspapers were read aloud, and music was played from records. Having previously broadcast programs only irregularly for several months, the Vilnius radio station began regular broadcasts on December 4. The aim was to preserve and strengthen Lithuanian identity as much as possible in the Klaip\u0117da region, which Lithuania had recently regained. Since Kaunas could not be heard well on the coast or throughout the western part of the country, it was decided to build the Klaip\u0117da radio station. Programs for Lithuanians living abroad (in Lithuanian) began to be broadcast. That same year, regular literary, children\u2019s, and youth programs were also introduced. \u201cMargutis\u201d was the first radio program in the United States broadcast in the Lithuanian language. The first programs lasted 15 minutes; later, they were broadcast for 8 hours per week.The Kaunas radio station ranked last in terms of transmission power, so it became necessary to build a new radio station\u2014and not just in Kaunas: the political, economic, cultural, and educational situation demanded it. It was decided to build a radio station in Sitk\u016bnai. It was the Sitk\u016bnai radio station that \u201cwent on the air\u201d on the night of January 13, 1991, after radio and television broadcasts from Vilnius were interrupted.<\/p>\n
The station was built on Konarskio Street in Vilnius and broadcast two radio programs. \u201cAttention, attention, this is Vilnius speaking and broadcasting. We are beginning a test broadcast from the Vilnius Television Studio.\u201d These words were spoken by the first announcers, Gra\u017eina Bigelyt\u0117 and Juozas Baranauskas, when the television era began in Lithuania at 7:45 p.m. on April 30, 1957. This date is considered the birthday of Lithuanian television. The first broadcasts were visible only in Vilnius. A radio relay line connecting Vilnius and Kaunas was established. After laying coaxial cables from the Kaunas Sports Hall and the \u201c\u017dalgiris\u201d Stadium to the station, and using a mobile television station, it was already possible to broadcast live reports. At the same time, another powerful radio relay line\u2014Minsk\u2013Vilnius\u2013Kaunas\u2013Riga\u2013Tallinn\u2013Leningrad\u2014was being built across Lithuanian territory; Vilnius, Leningrad, Tallinn, Riga, and Moscow took turns broadcasting programs over this line. A powerful radio station was built in \u0160iauliai to ensure the exchange of broadcasts. On April 14, 1961, this radio relay line transmitted a Moscow television program about the welcome given to cosmonaut Y. A. Gagarin upon his return to Earth; it was watched by millions of people across Europe. The reach of Lithuanian television continued to expand.The first broadcast was heard by people in various countries; among the listeners were English teachers in Lithuania and their students, who were learning how to talk about the most important events in Lithuania in English. As Henrikas Ju\u0161kevi\u010dius, chief engineer of the Radio and Television Committee, recalls, it was explained to Moscow that young Lithuanians living abroad had already forgotten the Lithuanian language, so broadcasts in English were necessary. Building a complex for black-and-white television was impractical. A bold step was taken: a team was formed, led by Me\u010dislavas Buzanas, chief engineer of the Technical Center. Engineers Tadas Jankovskis, Vytautas Liepinis, and Jurijus Ne\u010diajevskis undertook the task of redesigning the equipment room and studio block. Within a short time, the main concert studio\u2019s equipment room was redesigned. It was expanded after the film projection equipment room was relocated. The design was later modified to accommodate the transmission of color television programs. On January 23, the Anyk\u0161\u010diai Radio and Television Station in Vie\u0161intos began operations. From that day on, television broadcasts could be viewed throughout nearly the entire territory of Lithuania. A 5-kW television transmitter manufactured in the Czech Republic was installed at the Vie\u0161intos Radio and Television Station.<\/p>\n
In 1983, radio programs with stereo sound began airing in Kaunas and Klaip\u0117da. With the launch of the new equipment and studio complex, the first color television program in Lithuania was broadcast. Lithuanian viewers were introduced to the Lithuanian Film Studio\u2019s feature film *Ties riba*. This marked the starting point for a new era of high-quality television broadcasts throughout the country.On April 18, 1980, in Vilnius, at 326.4 meters high in the radio and television tower in Karolini\u0161k\u0117s, four 4 kW \u201cDo\u017ed-2\u201d radio transmitters were installed. To increase the coverage area and signal strength, the transmitter antenna in Karolini\u0161k\u0117s, Vilnius, was raised to a height of 250 meters. After Lithuania regained its independence, state-owned and private radio stations began to rapidly emerge, operating in the 88\u2013108 MHz frequency band.The first concrete cube was poured into the tower\u2019s foundation on May 31, 1974, and the State Commission\u2019s certificate of acceptance for operation was signed on December 30, 1980. The Vilnius TV Tower provided the following opportunities: <\/p>\n
The Vilnius TV Tower is a reminder of the bloody events of the night of January 13, 1991, during which 12 people were killed: Loreta Asanavi\u010di\u016bt\u0117, Virginijus Druskis, Darius Gerbutavi\u010dius, Rolandas Jankauskas, Rimantas Juknevi\u010dius, Algimantas Petras Kavoliukas, Vidas Maciulevi\u010dius, Titas Masiulis, Apolinaras Juozas Povilaitis, Ignas \u0160imulionis, Vytautas Vaitkus, and Vytautas Koncevi\u010dius. <\/p>\n
After radio and television broadcasts from Vilnius were cut off, the Kaunas bureau of Lithuanian Television and low-power transmitters in Kaunas, Sitk\u016bnai, and Juragiai began operating. Later, paratroopers surrounded the Sitk\u016bnai and Juragiai transmitter stations and demanded that broadcasts be suspended at these stations as well. <\/p>\n
In 2001, Telecentras introduced ERDV\u0116S, an Internet service based on Wi-Fi wireless technology, to Lithuanian residents; in 2014, it was renamed \u201cAtrask.\u201d Since 2015, this service has been called MEZON. <\/p>\n
The first experimental transmitter was activated at the Vilnius TV Tower. Testing lasted several years while DVB-T licenses were being allocated in the country. The first regular digital terrestrial broadcasts began on June 30, 2006. Initially, only people living within a 40-kilometer radius of Vilnius could watch the broadcasts, but the DVB-T transmitter network was actively expanded. In 2006, four DVB-T transmitters were launched in Vilnius, intended to broadcast 40 television channels. In 2007, these DVB-T transmitters began operating in Kaunas, Klaip\u0117da, Panev\u0117\u017eys, and \u0160iauliai. <\/p>\n
Following testing, the MPEG-4 AVC\/H.264 TV program compression standard was selected and put into use. The main reason is that a single DVB-T network can broadcast 10 high-quality standard-definition television programs. This has made it possible to broadcast HD and 3D TV programs.The development of WiMAX technology marked a revolutionary leap in the field of telecommunications, and Telecentras gave Lithuanian residents the opportunity to be among the first in the world to start using fourth-generation mobile internet. By adopting WiMAX technology, Lithuania surpassed many other countries and became a model for numerous telecommunications specialists. By the standards of the time, 4G connectivity was characterized by widespread availability, high quality, and exceptionally fast mobile internet speeds.Telecentras was the first in Central Europe to begin providing fourth-generation (4G) mobile internet service under the brand name MEZON. Based on the volume of data sent and received, MEZON became the most heavily used internet network in Lithuania. A simple, convenient, and cost-free way to communicate virtually was created. The ability to participate in a teleconference is available to all Lithuanian and international landline and mobile phone subscribers, meaning anyone using any type of phone can be reached. This service has become an important step toward much more convenient and simpler communication with foreign business partners or friends and colleagues living in other countries. The MEZON telephony service is tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. In response to customer requests to use wireless internet at the MEZON office without separate USB modems, a stationary MEZON modem\u2014which also functions as a router\u2014was introduced for business use. By connecting telephones to this device, the needs of a small business for basic communication tools are fully met.<\/p>\n
In 2001, Telecentras introduced ERDV\u0116S, an Internet service based on Wi-Fi wireless technology, to Lithuanian residents; in 2014, it was renamed \u201cAtrask.\u201d Since 2015, this service has been called MEZON.A modern data center installed on the basement level of the Vilnius TV Tower has opened up new opportunities for the implementation of cloud computing, digital storage, and other innovative projects. The data center was equipped with power distribution panels, communications cable infrastructure, and other utilities. Additionally, modernization work lasting more than a year was carried out: existing communication systems were upgraded, and systems meeting the highest standards for physical security, fire safety, uninterruptible power supply, ventilation, and other functions were installed.Analog television had become unsuitable for transmitting high-definition video and surround sound; it lacked interactive capabilities and was less resistant to interference, which degrades broadcast quality. Due to the widespread adoption of computers and digital technology, as well as the advent of digital content, it was decided to pursue digital television. The winner of the competition was R. Mikulionis\u2019s architectural studio \u201cPlazma,\u201d whose design was recognized as best meeting the competition\u2019s criteria, distinguished by its artistic quality, functionality, and ease of implementation. As the project\u2019s authors explained, the television tower is a structure of exceptional architectural significance that residents of Vilnius and visitors to the city see every day from various locations throughout the city. It was precisely this feature that inspired the project\u2019s concept and name\u2014\u201cThe Eye of Vilnius.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the completion of the HD network deployment project, the national broadcaster LRT is now guaranteed stable, uninterrupted, and high-quality television network service across approximately 96.1 percent of the country\u2019s territory, where at least 98.1 percent of Lithuania\u2019s population resides.\u201cWe are one of the first European telecommunications operators to begin providing a smart TV service\u2014which requires high speeds and network bandwidth\u2014to the mass market via wireless networks. Until now, only isolated attempts to do so had been reported in Europe,\u201d said Remigijus \u0160eris, CEO of Telecentras, on this occasion. Since 2019, some channels have begun broadcasting in high definition (HD).On April 24, \u201cBaltic Waves Radio\u201d began broadcasting in Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, and other languages via this transmitter. On August 29, a formal inauguration ceremony took place, attended by the Lithuanian ministers of foreign affairs and communications, members of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Ambassador, a technology representative from the U.S. government agency Broadcasting Board of Governors, and representatives of other state institutions and diplomatic services.The flag, measuring 540 square meters, was hoisted to a height of 160 meters by Telecentro\u2019s team of climbers. HiTV is a hybrid television service, which combines over-the-air TV broadcasts with an online platform through which viewers can access TV media libraries, archives, and other content distributed online. HiTV complements and expands the capabilities of traditional broadcast television, allowing viewers to watch TV programs and shows not only live but also on demand. All television content available through HiTV is free and can be controlled using a standard TV remote. To watch HiTV, you need a smart TV that supports the HbbTV standard (version 1.5 or higher) and is connected to the internet. You must also be able to receive digital terrestrial television broadcasts via an indoor or outdoor antenna.\u201cBit\u0117\u2019s\u201d offer was selected because it offered the highest amount\u2014more than 20 million euros\u2014and best met the buyer\u2019s requirements. Commenting on the sale of a significant portion of Telecentras\u2019 business, Vidas Danielius, chairman of the company\u2019s board, said: \u201cTelecentras is selling the \u2018Mezon\u2019 business because it sees its future in its core activities\u2014the transmission of television and radio programs\u2014as well as in projects to develop the state\u2019s information and telecommunications infrastructure. Given the changing market situation, the company\u2019s management and board of directors have decided to refocus the company on the development of infrastructure projects of national importance. In order for the company to effectively implement these projects, it must cease providing services in the retail market. It is for this reason that a strategic decision was made back in 2019 to spin off these operations into a separate business unit and sell them.\u201d
\nOn December 30, 2020, following the signing of the closing documents, the transaction was successfully completed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Telecentras is the Lithuanian company with the most extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, broadcasting radio and television programs and providing data transmission services. The company began operations on June 12, 1926, when Lithuanian radio broadcasts were transmitted from Kaunas for the first time. Television broadcasting services began on April 30, 1957. Since 2001, in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":36786,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-istorija.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-36781","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36781"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36787,"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36781\/revisions\/36787"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/telecentras.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}