OTE Museum of Telecommunications

About

OTE was founded on 23 October 1949 as a successor to the Hellenic Telephone Company (AETE), which was established in 1926 to consolidate all such public and private telecommunications companies. Formerly, telephony, telegraph, domestic and international connections were fragmented and under-coordinated.

Until 1998, OTE operated as a state-owned monopoly. The market was opened to competitors and OTE was gradually privatized. Along with other telecommunications market providers, OTE is regulated by the National Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT).

In 2007, MIG Holdings acquired 20% of the company, while in March 2008, sold it to German Deutsche Telekom, which later increased its stake to 25% plus one, matching that of the state.

Following the sale of a further 5% in 2009 and another 10% in 2011 of OTE's share capital by the Greek state to Deutsche Telekom, the state holds 10% and DT 40%. In 2018, Deutsche Telekom acquired an additional 5% of OTE as it exercised the right of first refusal to acquire 24,507,520 ordinary shares as announced by HDRAF.

- 23 October 1949: ΟΤΕ S.A. is founded (Legislative Decree 1049/49)

- The first antenna of the Centre of Satellite Communication in Thermopylae (the 6th in Europe ) is set up.

- The first fully digitised switching centres (long-distance and hub) of the EWSD/SIEMENS system are established.

- OTE acquires an initial 35% stake in RomTelecom, the incumbent telephony company in Romania.

- Acquires GSM License in Bulgaria and establishes Globul to exploit this license.

- OTE and COSMOTE act as Grand National Sponsors of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

- OTE signs agreement to sell 90% of its holdings in ArmenTel (now Telecom Armenia ) for approximately €342 million.

- OTE launches CONN-X TV (IPTV) to a limited number of existing clients for a trial period. This satellite TV was the predecessor of OTE TV.

- OTE's broadband connection reach 970,000, with presence points in its network extend to 1,390, nationwide.

- The agreement between the Greek Government and Deutsche Telekom is signed, according to which, since 5 November, each will own 25% plus one share of OTE's share capital.

- OTE acquires 100% of COSMOTE and its share is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

- COSMOTE now owns 100% of GERMANOS SA, the leading retailer of telecommunications in the wider region of Southeast Europe.

- Completion of the sale of Cosmofon in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia held by COSMOTE.

- After the sale of an additional 5% of the Greek State's shares and voting rights, Deutsche Telekom's stake in OTE stands at 30% while the Greek State holds 20%. COSMOTE completes acquisition of Telemobil S.A. (Zapp) in Romania.

- Michael Tsamaz, CEO of OTE Group's mobile arm COSMOTE, assumes the position of OTE President & CEO.

- Deutsche Telekom acquires an extra 10% of OTE share capital raising its stake to 40%.