Dhiraagu () is the first Maldivian telecommunications company, which was founded in 1988. The company was created as a joint venture of the Maldivian government and Cable & Wireless and had a monopoly on the entire industry in the country until 2005, and retained a monopoly on fixed telephony and the exclusive right to terminate incoming international traffic on any network until the end of 2008. The name "Dhiraagu" is an acronym for Dhivehi Raajjeygé Gulhun (). Dhiraagu maintains one of the world's longest microwave links over water. This 65 km link across the equator connects Fuvahmulah and Gaafu Dhaalu – and therefore Gaafu Alifu atoll. 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 23 December 1943, provided by the Maldivian government. On 17 May 1977 Cable & Wireless 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 (55% owned by the Government of Maldives and 45% by Cable and Wireless), making it the first ever Maldivian telecommunications company. Later it became a public company and currently the Maldivian government holds a 41.8% share in the company, while 52% is owned by Batelco and 6.2% is owned by the general public. Significant events 1988 – Dhiraagu was officially established on October 1, 1988. 1989 – Major upgrade of copper network in the capital. 1991 – Paging service introduced. 1996 – Dial-up internet service was introduced to Maldives for the first time, under the brand name DhivehiNet. 1997 – Mobile phone service was introduced with Advanced Mobile Phone System Technologies. 1999 – Mobile phone service's platform changed to GSM. 2005 – On June 23, Dhiraagu rebranded and introduced a new logo. 2006 Dhiraagu introduces ADSL services to Maldives. On 25 February, Dhiraagu initiated/sponsored a successful world record attempt: the most people scuba diving simultaneously on a single site, with 979 people participating. Dhiraagu connects a submarine cable with Sri Lanka. Dhiraagu establishes domestic fiber optic submarine cable. 2010 – Dhiraagu introduces 3G HSPA services to Maldives. 2013 – Dhiraagu introduces 4G LTE services to Maldives. 2014 – Dhiraagu introduces VDSL services to Maldives under the brand name "UltraFast Broadband". 2015 – Dhiraagu introduces streaming TV services to Maldives under the brand name "DhiraaguTV". 2015 – Dhiraagu Introduces