COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 234920

Telecommunications Line Construction

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

12companies1887–1998founding years10still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedSkanska ABFoundedSkanska AB
1887
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
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.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedOceaneering International, Inc.FoundedOceaneering International, Inc.
1969
FoundedNew World Development Company LimitedFoundedNew World Development Company Limited
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.
FoundedSCANA CorporationFoundedSCANA Corporation
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedGlobal Crossing Ltd.FoundedGlobal Crossing Ltd.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedLevel 3 Communications, Inc.FoundedLevel 3 Communications, Inc.
1998
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

Skanska AB →
Active · founded 1887 · Sweden
After helping to build Scandinavia, Skanska AB is ready to help build the rest of the world.
Skanska AB →
Active · founded 1887 · Sweden
After helping to build Scandinavia, Skanska AB is ready to help build the rest of the world.
Oceaneering International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Oceaneering International, Inc.
Oceaneering International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Oceaneering International, Inc.
New World Development Company Limited →
Active · founded 1970 · Hong Kong
Since its founding in 1970, New World Development Company Limited has been a leader in Hong Kong's bustling commercial…
New World Development Company Limited →
Active · founded 1970 · Hong Kong
Since its founding in 1970, New World Development Company Limited has been a leader in Hong Kong's bustling commercial…
SCANA Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
SCANA Corporation is a diversified holding company headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.
SCANA Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
SCANA Corporation is a diversified holding company headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.
Global Crossing Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1997 · Bermuda
Bermuda-based Global Crossing Ltd., the first independent owner and operator of undersea fiber optic cables, is…
Global Crossing Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1997 · Bermuda
Bermuda-based Global Crossing Ltd., the first independent owner and operator of undersea fiber optic cables, is…
Level 3 Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
1980s:Construction giant Peter Kiewit Sons' diversifies into telecommunications, creating the business foundation for…
Level 3 Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
1980s:Construction giant Peter Kiewit Sons' diversifies into telecommunications, creating the business foundation for…
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