OTE Group

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

Until 1998, the Greek telecommunications market was a 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 .

In 2007, Marfin Investment Group 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.

1949–1964

23 October 1949: ??? S.A. is founded

The first Greek telephone directory is published.

The TELEX service becomes operational.

1965–1989

The Greek long-distance telephone network is automated.

Laying of the submarine cable Greece-Italy MED 3 is completed.

The first antenna of the Centre of Satellite Communication in Thermopylae is set up.

The first fully digitised switching centres of the EWSD/SIEMENS system are established.

1990–2000

??? expands to the Balkans, SE Europe and the Middle East.

??? is listed in the Athens Exchange .

OTE is listed on the New York Stock Exchange .

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.

2000–2007

Satellite Hellas Sat2 is launched from Cape Canaveral.

OTE launches ADSL services in the Greek market.

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 for approximately €342 million.

The Greek State sells 10.7% of OTE share capital to institutional investors.

OTE makes available new speeds reaching 24Mbit/s.

2008–2010

OTE launches CONN-X TV 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. in Romania.

OTE introduces Conn-x TV, which is based on IPTV technology.

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

OTE delists from the New York Stock Exchange .

2011–2017

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

The company signs three-year Collective Labour Agreement with the Federation of OTE Employees OME-OTE, achieving personnel costs reduction and securing employment for OTE regular employees.

Introduces OTE TV via Satellite and integrates all of the pay TV services it offers under the brand name OTE TV.

OTE signs agreement for the sale of the minority stake in Telekom Srbija, of which owns 20%, for about €400 million.

Launches reduced prices of up to 25% for Double Play Unlimited Plans that combine Internet and unlimited telephony to fixed lines.

OTE TV subscriber base reaches 100.000, following the continuous strengthening of the platform with new channels, services and HD content.

Launches new VDSL Internet services, with speeds up to 50 Mbit/s.

Successfully completes two Voluntary Redundancy Schemes, the incentives of which 1,516 people in the company accepted.

Raises €700 million through 5-year fixed coupon notes, following the successful completion of a bookbuilding process.

Announces the signing of an agreement to sell its 99.05% stake in Hellas Sat, to Arabsat, for 208 million euros, plus 7 million in dividends.

Announces the signing of an agreement to sell its 100% stake in Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile EAD and Germanos Telecom Bulgaria to Telenor, the Norwegian telecom operator. The agreement consideration reached €717 million .

OTE announced the expansion of its VDSL network with 367 local exchanges and 2,732 outdoor cabins activated in October and extending VDSL availability to 1.3 million households and businesses.

On 26 October 2015 it establishes COSMOTE as a single brand for all its products and services.

In 2017, OTE's management announced that priority is to develop fiber optic networks and that total investment for the period until 2020 will amount to €1.5 billion.