Alcatel

Alcatel SA

Company type	Public
Industry	Telecommunications, Industrial Conglomerate
Predecessor	Compagnie Générale d’Électricité (CGE)
Founded	1970
Defunct	2006
Fate	Merged with Lucent Technologies to form Alcatel-Lucent
Headquarters	Paris , France
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Digital telephone switching systems, terrestrial and submarine transmission cables, satellite apparatus, mobile network infrastructure, DSL access technologies

Alcatel SA was a French industrial conglomerate that operated between 1963 and 2006, originating from Compagnie Générale d’Electricité (CGE), which was established in 1898 as a government-owned enterprise specializing in cable and telephone equipment. Over time, CGE broadened its activities to include construction, shipbuilding, and energy sectors. Within telecommunications, Alcatel emerged as a key provider of digital telephone switching systems, terrestrial and submarine transmission cables, satellite apparatus, mobile network infrastructure, and DSL access technologies.

The name Alcatel, initially an abbreviation for Société Alsacienne de Constructions Atomiques, de Télécommunications et d'Électronique, was founded in Mulhouse as part of the SACM engineering group. It was integrated into Compagnie industrielle des télécommunications (CIT), CGE’s telecom division, around 1968 or 1970. CGE underwent nationalization under President François Mitterrand in 1982 before being privatized in 1987. The company adopted the name Alcatel Alsthom in 1991 and later shortened to Alcatel in 1998 after divesting its railway manufacturing arm Alstom to concentrate exclusively on telecommunications.

In 2006, Alcatel completed the acquisition of the American telecommunications firm Lucent Technologies for $13.4 billion, subsequently rebranding as Alcatel-Lucent S.A.. This merged entity was eventually incorporated into Nokia in 2016. The Alcatel brand remains active through various subsidiaries such as Alcatel Submarine Networks (specializing in telecom cables), Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (software solutions), Alcatel Mobile (mobile handsets), and Atlinks (fixed-line telephony services).

Origins

• 1898 – French engineer Pierre Azaria founds Compagnie Générale d'Électricité (CGE).
• 1919 – Aaron Weil invents the "Téléphone privé" (Private telephone).
• 1925 – CGE merges with Compagnie Générale des Câbles de Lyon; Bell Telephone Laboratories is established.
• 1927 – The enterprise adopts the name "Téléphonie Industrielle et Commerciale" (TELIC).
• 1928 – Formation of Alsthom through the merger of Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques and Compagnie Française Thomson-Houston.
• 1946 – Creation of CIT (Compagnie Industrielle de Téléphone) within CGE.
• 1947 – ALSATEL is founded to enhance sales capabilities.
• 1952 – ITT Corporation acquires majority control of Kellogg Switchboard and Supply Company, renaming it ITT Kellogg.
• 1954 – TELIC expands by acquiring COFRATEL.
• 1960 – TELIC introduces Crossbar switching technology.
• 1965 – TELIC is acquired by CGE and becomes a subsidiary under CIT.

Formation of Alcatel

• 1970 – The establishment of Alcatel occurs through the merger of CIT and ENTE, a SACM division. Ambroise Roux assumes the role of CGE chairman and later honorary chairman until 1999.
• 1977 – Launch of Alcatel’s first digitally controlled PBX system.
• 1980 – Introduction of the videotex service known as Minitel.
• 1982 – Jean-Pierre Brunet appointed chairman of CGE.
• 1984 – Georges Pébereau succeeds as CGE chairman; Thompson telecommunications is integrated; Câbles de Lyon acquires Thompson Jeumont Cables and Kabelmetal.
• 1985 – Alsthom Atlantique rebrands as Alsthom; formation of Alcatel results from merging CIT-Alcatel with Thompson’s telecom division.
• 1986 – ITT Corporation divests its international telecom and cable operations to Alsthom, leading to the creation of Alcatel N.V., with ITT retaining a 37% share; Câbles de Lyon becomes a subsidiary under Alcatel N.V.; Pierre Suard named CGE chairman.
• 1987 – CGE undergoes privatization; Alsthom secures contract for the TGV Atlantique high-speed train project.
• 1989 – CGE partners with British General Electric Company to form GEC Alsthom, enhancing global sales reach; CGEE-Alsthom transitions into Cegelec; AT&T Technologies reorganizes into divisions including Network Systems, Global Business Communications, Microelectronics, and Consumer Products.
• 1991 – CGE rebrands as Alcatel Alsthom; acquires transmission division from Rockwell Technologies; Câbles de Lyon renamed Alcatel Cable after purchasing AEG Kabel; Italian telecom firm Telettra is acquired.
• 1992 – Acquisition of AEG Kabel completed; ITT sells its remaining shares in Alcatel N.V. for approximately $3.6 billion.
• 1993 – Purchase of STC Submarine Systems from Nortel Networks finalized.
• 1994 – Alcatel Network Systems earns the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing at multiple U.S. sites.
• 1995 – Serge Tchuruk appointed chairman and CEO, initiating restructuring focused on telecommunications equipment manufacturing.
• 1997 – The Raleigh, North Carolina facility of Alcatel Telecom receives IndustryWeek's Best Plants award.
• 1998 – Separation of Alcatel and Alsthom; following IPO, Alsthom GEC becomes Alstom with Alcatel retaining a 24% stake; Cegelec sold to new Alstom entity; acquisitions include DSC Communications for $4.4 billion and Packet Engines.
• 1999 – Acquisitions expand to include Xylan, Assured Access, Internet Devices; stake in Thomson CSF raised to 25.3%, while Framatome holding reduced to 8.6%.
• 2000 – DSL modem business sold to Thomson Multimedia; acquisitions include Newbridge Networks, Genesys, Innovative Fibers; cable division spun off as Nexans.
• 2001 – Divestment of stake in Alstom completed; repurchase of investment in Alcatel Space from Thales reduces Thales’ holding to 20.03%; stake in Areva sold.
• 2002 – Acquisitions include Astral Point Communications Inc., Telera Corporation; gains control over Alcatel Shanghai Bell; microelectronics business sold to STMicroelectronics, along with stakes in Thomson, Thales, and Nexans.
• 2003 – Purchases iMagicTV and TiMetra Inc.; sells half ownership in Atlinks and optical business to Avanex.
• 2004 – Acquires eDial Inc.; establishes joint venture with TCL named Alcatel Mobile Phones holding a 45% share; collaborates with Draka Holdings for Draka Comteq B.V., owning a 49.9% stake; completes acquisition of Spatial Wireless; divests Avanex shares.
• 2005 – Entire stake in the Alcatel Mobile Phones joint venture sold back to TCL.

See also

• French Joint Strike