Lattelekom launches data line

The Latvian fixed-line operator Lattelekom has launched an international data transmission service between Riga and Vilnius, accessed through the communication channel of Lietuvos Energija, Lithuania's state energy company, the business newspaper Verslo Zinios reported Sept. 24.

Lattelekom has taken over part of the international data transmission market from Lietuvos Telekomas, Lithuania's fixed-line telephone monopoly.

International data flows of MicroLink, one of the largest information technology companies in the Baltic countries, now go through Lattelekom's data transmission channel. Previously, MicroLink Data was using Lietuvos Telekomas' services.

According to Verslo Zinios, Lattelekom has been in talks for cooperation with Bite GSM, Lithuania's second-biggest mobile telephone operator, as well.

In Lithuania, MicroLink Data, Lietuvos Telekomas, Omnitel, the country's biggest mobile operator, and Bite GSM are the largest users of the international data transmission channels.

Lithuanian data networks are connected to global networks via Lietuvos Telekomas' optical cable to Latvia and further on via Telia's undersea fiber optic cable to Sweden.

In July, Lietuvos Energija started using its own optical cable network to Latvia.

Marius Grinevicius, director of Lietuvos Energija's information technology and telecommunication center, said the company had signed a long-term contract for the lease of the data transmission network to Lattelekom.

Lietuvos Energija has developed the data transmission network for its own needs, while unused capacities are leased. The cable network covers Vilnius, Klaipeda, Siauliai and Panevezys and is connected to the network of the Latvian energy company Latvenergo.

Lattelekom cooperates with Omnitel in the Lithuanian international data transmission market as well.

The Nordic telecommunication companies Telia and Sonera hold 60 percent of shares in Lietuvos Telekomas, 55 percent of Omnitel and 49 percent of Lattelekom.