COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 51339

Other Telecommunications

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

17companies1886–1998founding years17still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedMarconi plc
1886
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedRogers Communications Inc.
1920
FoundedDobson Communications Corporation
1936
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedPPB Group Berhad
1948
1956
TechnologyThe first transatlantic telephone cable opens.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedCox Enterprises, Inc.
1968
FoundedDallah Albaraka Group
1969
TechnologyARPANET, the internet's precursor, goes live.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedCablevision Systems Corporation
1985
FoundedTollgrade Communications, Inc.
1986
FoundedDeutsche Telekom AGFoundedTalk America Holdings, Inc.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedTraffix, Inc.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedPortugal Telecom SGPS S.A.
1994
FoundedTelenor ASA
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedEschelon Telecom, Inc.
1996
FoundedBroadwing Corporation
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedEquant N.V.
1998
2000
TechnologyGPS opens to civilian use, turning location into a utility.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

TDC A/S →
Active · Denmark
TDC A/S--formerly Tele Danmark, itself created from the former state-owned telephone monopoly--is Denmark's top…
Marconi plc →
Active · founded 1886 · United Kingdom
The British company Marconi plc had been known as The General Electric Co.
Rogers Communications Inc. →
Active · founded 1920 · Canada
The largest communications company in Canada, Rogers Communications Inc.
Dobson Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1936
Dobson Communications Corporation is the ninth largest provider of wireless services in the United States, serving 1.6…
PPB Group Berhad →
Active · founded 1948 · Malaysia
One of Malaysia's largest companies, and one of the largest conglomerates in the ASEAN market region, PPB Group Berhad…
Cox Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Cox Enterprises, Inc.
Dallah Albaraka Group →
Active · founded 1969 · Saudi Arabia
The Dallah Albaraka Group is one of the leading, privately held conglomerates in Saudi Arabia.
Cablevision Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the largest cable systems operators in the United States, providing service…
Tollgrade Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Tollgrade Communications, Inc.
Deutsche Telekom AG →
Active · founded 1989 · Germany
Deutsche Telekom AG is the third largest telecommunications company in the world and number one in Europe.
Talk America Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Talk America Holdings, Inc., sells local and long-distance telephone services in 25 states, primarily in Georgia,…
Traffix, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Traffix, Inc.
Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A. →
Active · founded 1994 · Portugal
Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A.
Telenor ASA →
Active · founded 1995 · Norway
Telenor ASA is Norway's leading telecommunications group.
Eschelon Telecom, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Eschelon Telecom, Inc., is a rapidly growing provider of integrated voice, data, and Internet services.
Broadwing Corporation →
Active · founded 1997
Broadwing Corporation operates two divisions that serve different segments of the telecommunications industry.
Equant N.V. →
Active · founded 1998 · The Netherlands
Equant N.V.
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