COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 517910

Other Telecommunications

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

22companies1936–1997founding years22still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedDobson Communications CorporationFoundedDobson Communications Corporation
1936
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedPPB Group BerhadFoundedPPB Group Berhad
1948
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedCox Enterprises, Inc.FoundedCox Enterprises, Inc.
1968
FoundedDallah Albaraka GroupFoundedDallah Albaraka Group
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedTalk America Holdings, Inc.
1989
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedTraffix, Inc.FoundedTraffix, Inc.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedPortugal Telecom SGPS S.A.FoundedPortugal Telecom SGPS S.A.
1994
FoundedTelenor ASAFoundedTelenor ASA
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedEschelon Telecom, Inc.FoundedEschelon Telecom, Inc.
1996
FoundedBroadwing Corporation
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
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…
TDC A/S →
Active · Denmark
TDC A/S--formerly Tele Danmark, itself created from the former state-owned telephone monopoly--is Denmark's top…
Dobson Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1936
Dobson Communications Corporation is the ninth largest provider of wireless services in the United States, serving 1.6…
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…
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.
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.
Dallah Albaraka Group →
Active · founded 1969 · Saudi Arabia
The Dallah Albaraka Group is one of the leading, privately held conglomerates in Saudi Arabia.
Talk America Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Talk America Holdings, Inc., sells local and long-distance telephone services in 25 states, primarily in Georgia,…
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.
Traffix, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Traffix, Inc.
Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A. →
Active · founded 1994 · Portugal
Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A.
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.
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.
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.
Broadwing Corporation →
Active · founded 1997
Broadwing Corporation operates two divisions that serve different segments of the telecommunications industry.
Build It Today

Starting a other telecommunications company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.