From the Time of Frictories to Present Day Satellite Communication

Had communication between primitive people within the limits of their community been the basis for the existence of the group, then "telecommunication" with the remote members of society was and still is vital for the survival of mankind and the expansion of the horizons of their knowledge. Throughout the centuries man never stopped seeking new methods to obtain this goal. To this end, he devised numerous audio or visual means. Ever since then, telecommunications have been experiencing outstanding progress. The variety of technological novelties which are offered to the public nowadays as well as the increasing use of the prefix "tele" in new applications are undeniable witnesses. The progress of telecommunications in Greece during the 20th century was rigidly connected with the development of OTE, the national operator. The "Hellenic Telecommunications Organization" was established in 1949 and over a period of half a century has made painstaking attempts at connecting people with each other within the country, as well as with the entire outside world with the aim to provide them with services in keeping with the era. The objective for telecommunications to become "common commodity" has been achieved and this has made OTE identifiable by people of all ages and different backgrounds. During all those difficult years of striving to accomplish its goals, OTE's greatest assets were its employees. Thanks to their diligence and loyalty, the company has now reached the summit of the Greek business pyramid. It is the largest Greek enterprise, which comprises both the "cornerstone" of the telecommunications sector in Greece and the "backbone" of Greek economy, at the same time contributing vastly to the projection and consolidation of an image of a powerful country.