How about a journey back to 1998? That’s when Amnet was founded by Amzak. Today we are standing in front of what once was a leading provider of cable television services. It also offered internet and telephone services.
Amnet played a significant role in Central America and the Caribbean. It wasn’t just Honduras. Amnet also operated in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Think of the reach.
Amnet provided both analog and digital television through fiber optic cables. It also offered broadband internet and telephone services. This was for both businesses and homes. Amnet was a big deal.
Let’s talk about the name. For years people thought Amnet stood for American Network. But Mike Kazma revealed in the early 2000s the name had no special meaning. It simply was.
Amzak, the company behind Amnet, was founded in Canada by Gerard Kazma in 1968. In 1997, Amzak acquired Cable Color. This marked the beginning of its operations in Costa Rica. Amnet officially became the name in 1999.
Amnet experienced considerable growth. By 2007, Amnet reported revenue of 147 million dollars. The company served over 350 thousand direct customers. That’s a lot of connections.
In 2008, Millicom International Cellular S.A. acquired Amnet in Costa Rica. The deal was worth 510 million US dollars. Millicom, through its company Tigo, offers 3G mobile phone services with broadband applications. This acquisition expanded their services.
Even after the acquisition, the Kazma family remained involved. Mike Kazma, one of Amnet’s founders, is now a consultant for the company. His expertise helps guide Amnet.
Amnet’s story is one of growth and adaptation. It started as a cable provider. It evolved into a major player in telecommunications. It offered cable TV, internet and telephone to both businesses and homes. It is part of Central American history.