2017
Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks goes back to its original name Alcatel Submarine Networks.
2014
Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks acquires Optoplan.
1993
Alcatel acquires STC Submarine Systems, a division of Northern Telecom Europe (today Nortel Networks).
1992
Alcatel Alsthom acquires AEG Kabel (subsequently renamed Kabel Rheydt), a leading cable manufacturer in Germany, strengthening its presence in this region.
1991
Compagnie Générale d'Electricité changes its name to Alcatel Alsthom.
1990
Alcatel takes over Telettra and Fiat acquires a majority stake in CEAC.
1989
AT&T Technologies combine with Bell Laoratories to become Lucent Technologies.
1988
Joining of Alsthom and General Electric Company (UK).
1986
Alcatel NV formed following an agreement with ITT Corporation, which sells its European telecommunications activities to CGE.
1985
Alsthom Atlantique changes its name to Alsthom.
1984
Câbles de Lyin acquires Thomson Jeument Cables and Kabeltel.
1983
The first high-capacity, long-haul lightwave transmission system between New York City and Washington D.C.
1980
Bell Labs introduces the digital signal processor chip.
1970
AEI sells SCL to STC.
1966
The Société Alsacienne de Constructions Atomiques, de Télécommunications et d'Electronique is now part of CGE.
1962
SCL is now owned by the UK's electronic giant AEI.
1957
The laser is invented at Bell Laboratories.
1956
The first transatlantic telephone cable is placed into service, handling up to 36 simultaneous calls.
1948
Claude Shannon quantifies "information" (Information Theory) and gives engineers mathematical-based theory regarding the maximum information capacity for any communications system.
1935
Telcon and Siemens Brothers merge to form Submarine Cables Limited (SCL).
1930
Telcon becomes the first manufacturer of submarine coaxial cables in the UK.
1928
Alsthom is formed through the merger of Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques and Compagnie Française Thomson-Houston.
1927
The first long-distance television transmission from Washington D.C. to New York City - a notable first for Bell Labs.
1925
The Compagnie Générale des Câbles de Lyon becomes part of CGE.
1898
French engineer Pierre Azaria sets up the Compagnie Générale d'Electricité (CGE) with the aim of competing against AEG, Siemens and General Electric.
1896
The inauguration of the Compagnie Francaises des Câbles Télégraphiques.
1891
The inauguration of the Société Générale des Téléphones factory in Calais.
1881
American Bell purchases a controlling interest in Western Electric and makes it the exclusive developer and manufacturer of equipment for the Bell telephone companies.
1869
Elisha Gray and Enos Barton form Gray and Barton, a small manufacturing firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. Three years later, the then Chicago based firm is renamed the Western Electric Manufacturing Company.
1864
The Gutta Percha Company merges with Glass, Elliott & Company to create the Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Company (AKA: TC&M or Telcon).
1845
The Gutta Percha Company is created by Charles Hancock and Henry Bewley. Initially the Company produced bottle stoppers and tubing.