Dhiraagu

: Dhiraagu should not be confused with Dhiggaru

Dhiraagu ( .

Until recently Dhiraagu was the sole ISP and GSM operator in the country. Dhiraagu still remains as the sole landline operator.

=History=

Though Dhiraagu is the first Maldivian telecommunications company, it s not the first to start the service. Telecommunication service in the Maldives was officially started on December 23, 1943, by the Maldivian government. On May 17, 1977 Cable and Wireless (C&W) started its operations as the telecom provider. Later, in 1988, Cable and Wireless and the government of the Maldives formed a joint venture company, Dhiraagu, making it the first ever Maldivian telecommunication company. The Maldivian government holds 55% share of the company and 45% is owned by C&W.

Dhiraagu used blue as its cooperate color since it began operation in 1988. After 17 years, to change the coperate identity in order to face the competition, on June 23, 2005, Dhiraagu changed both its logo and color. Cooperate color has been changed from blue to red.

==Significant events==

*1988 — Dhiraagu was officially established on October 1, 1988 *1989 — Major upgrade of cable network in Malé *1991 — Paging (telecommunications) service introduced *1996 — Internet service was introduced to Maldives, for the first time, as a product of Dhiraagu. It was formerly called Netlink and later changed to DhivehiNet *1997 — Mobile phone service was introduced under the brand label DhiMobile . Initially this service was provided over Advanced Mobile Phone System. *1999 — Mobile phone service s platform changed to GSM *2005 — On June 23, 2005, Dhiraagu changed its coperate logo and color.

=Criticism=

Dhiraagu has long been criticized as a monopoly because of its total dominance of the market for a long time.

Dhiraagu was also heavily criticized for, what the public describes as absurdly high prices during 1980s and 1990s. Foreseeing competition and regular criticism from the public, the company had dramatically lowered the service prices.

=Competition=

Raajjé Online (ROL), established in 2003, became Dhiraagu s first competitor. ROL is the second Internet Service Provider.

In 2005, Wataniya Telecom International - a Kuwaiti telecom company - was awarded the license to operate as the second mobile phone operator. They formed Wataniya Telecom Maldives and started its operation on August 1, 2005.

=External links=

*http://www.dhiraagu.com.mv Official Dhiraagu website *http://www.dhivehinet.net.mv DhivehiNet website