
Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks goes back to its original name Alcatel Submarine Networks.


Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks acquires Optoplan.


Alcatel acquires STC Submarine Systems, a division of Northern Telecom Europe (today Nortel Networks).


Alcatel Alsthom acquires AEG Kabel (subsequently renamed Kabel Rheydt), a leading cable manufacturer in Germany, strengthening its presence in this region.


Compagnie Générale d'Electricité changes its name to Alcatel Alsthom.


Alcatel takes over Telettra and Fiat acquires a majority stake in CEAC.


AT&T Technologies combine with Bell Laoratories to become Lucent Technologies.


Joining of Alsthom and General Electric Company (UK).


Alcatel NV formed following an agreement with ITT Corporation, which sells its European telecommunications activities to CGE.


Alsthom Atlantique changes its name to Alsthom.


Câbles de Lyin acquires Thomson Jeument Cables and Kabeltel.


The first high-capacity, long-haul lightwave transmission system between New York City and Washington D.C.


Bell Labs introduces the digital signal processor chip.


AEI sells SCL to STC.


The Société Alsacienne de Constructions Atomiques, de Télécommunications et d'Electronique is now part of CGE.


SCL is now owned by the UK's electronic giant AEI.


The laser is invented at Bell Laboratories.


The first transatlantic telephone cable is placed into service, handling up to 36 simultaneous calls.


Claude Shannon quantifies "information" (Information Theory) and gives engineers mathematical-based theory regarding the maximum information capacity for any communications system.


Telcon and Siemens Brothers merge to form Submarine Cables Limited (SCL).


Telcon becomes the first manufacturer of submarine coaxial cables in the UK.


Alsthom is formed through the merger of Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques and Compagnie Française Thomson-Houston.


The first long-distance television transmission from Washington D.C. to New York City - a notable first for Bell Labs.


The Compagnie Générale des Câbles de Lyon becomes part of CGE.


French engineer Pierre Azaria sets up the Compagnie Générale d'Electricité (CGE) with the aim of competing against AEG, Siemens and General Electric.


The inauguration of the Compagnie Francaises des Câbles Télégraphiques.


The inauguration of the Société Générale des Téléphones factory in Calais.


American Bell purchases a controlling interest in Western Electric and makes it the exclusive developer and manufacturer of equipment for the Bell telephone companies.


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.


The Gutta Percha Company merges with Glass, Elliott & Company to create the Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Company (AKA: TC&M or Telcon).


The Gutta Percha Company is created by Charles Hancock and Henry Bewley. Initially the Company produced bottle stoppers and tubing.
