OTE

For other uses, see OTE (disambiguation).

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A.
Οργανισμός Τηλεπικοινωνιών Ελλάδος Α.Ε.

160px
Type	S.A.
Traded as	Athex: HTO OTC Pink: HLTOY
Industry	Telecommunications
Founded	1949
Headquarters	Maroussi, Greece
Area served	Balkan Peninsula
Key people	Michael Tsamaz (Chairman & CEO)
Products	Fixedline telephony Mobile Telephony Broadband internet Digital television IT Services
Revenue	€2.865 billion (2015)
Operating income	€1.123 billion (2015)
Profit	€280.8 million (2015)
Total assets	€7.281 billion (2015)
Total equity	€2.588 billion (2015)
Owner	Deutsche Telekom (40%) Government of Greece (10%)
Number of employees	21,609 (2015)
Subsidiaries	Cosmote OTEGlobe OTE TV Germanos Group
Website	www.ote.gr

Aerial view of OTE Headquarters(tower)

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. (Greek: Οργανισμός Τηλεπικοινωνιών Ελλάδος Α.Ε. Organismos Tilepikinonion Ellados AE), usually known by its Greek initials OTE, is the dominant telecommunications provider in Greece. Along with its subsidiaries, is one of the largest telecom groups in South Eastern Europe. OTE Group offers broadband services, fixed and mobile telephony, high-speed data communications and leased lines services. In addition, the Group in Greece is involved in a range of activities, notably satellite communications, real-estate and professional training. At present, OTE companies employ about 30,000 people in 4 countries. Formerly a state-owned monopoly, OTE's privatization started in 1996 and is now listed on the Athens and London Stock Exchanges.

Since July 2009 Deutsche Telekom is the largest shareholder of the company.

In September 2015, the company announced they are to discontinue the use of the OTE name and will instead adopt Cosmote as a uniform commercial brand. At this time, the company have chosen not to adopt the Deutsche Telekom brand under which name it operates in its Central and Eastern European operations.

Shareholding structure

Starting in 1996, the Greek State gradually decreased its participation in OTE’s share capital. Following an agreement between the Greek State and Deutsche Telekom, as of November 2008 each party held 25% plus one share of OTE’s share capital. Following a further sale of shares and voting rights, as of 11 July 2011 Deutsche Telekom’s stake in OTE has risen to 40% while that of the Greek State amounts to 10%.

1.Deutsche Telekom: (40.0%)

2.Hellenic Republic: (10.0%)

3.International institutional shareholders: (29.5%)

4.Greek institutional shareholders: (10.7%)

5.Other shareholders: (9.8%)

Subsidiaries

Greece

• COSMOTE (100%): Mobile telecommunications services provider. The largest mobile network operator in Greece, with 7.9 million subscribers and one of the largest in SE Europe.
• OTEGlobe (100%): International carrier with presence in SE Europe and the wholesale arm of OTE Group. The company has grown to a regional hub delivering a portfolio of voice, data/IP and capacity services over an extensive network infrastructure. OTEGLOBE is the only carrier in the broader SE European region, which reaches Western Europe through Greece with two fully owned, geographically diverse dual path, multi-wavelength networks, the GWEN & the TBN.
• OTESat-Maritel (94.1%): Satellite services for maritime communications. It is one of the four major providers of Inmarsat maritime satellite communication services in the world.
• CosmoOne (61.7%): B2B (Business to business) electronic commerce applications and services – the largest provider in Greece.
• OTEAcademy (100%): Education and advanced vocational training.
• OTEplus (100%): Consultancy services on telecommunications and ICT.
• OTE Estate (100%): management of OTE Group’s real estate assets.
• OTE Insurance Αgency S.A. (OTE Insurance) (100%) : Insurance Agency. Providing specialized insurance counseling to the OTE Group and to the general public. www.oteasfalisi.gr

International

OTE owns 54% of the share capital of Telekom Romania (former Romtelecom), the main telecommunications operator in Romania, providing fixed-line services (voice, broadband, data and leased lines) and satellite TV services to the local market. OTE owns also 86.2% in mobile telephony division of Telekom Romania (former Cosmote Romania).

The OTE Group mobile telecommunications subsidiary, COSMOTE, is also present in mobile telephony in Albania through Telekom Albania (97.2%)

Financial data

OTE Group’s revenues in 2015 amounted to €3,902.9 million compared to €3,918.4 million in 2014. OTE Group ended 2015 with net debt at €859.8 million, down by 23.6% compared to 2014

OTE GROUP	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Revenues	6,319.8	6,407.3	5,958.9	5,482.8	5,038.3	4,680.3	4,054.1	3,918.4	3,902.9
Pro-forma EBITDA	2,240.8	2,320.9	2,168.0	1,919.4	1,731.8	1,656.9	1,456.3	1,421.6	1,343
as % of Revenues	35.5%	36.2%	36.4%	35.0%	34.4%	35.4%	35.%	36.3%	34.4%

History

OTE was created in 1949 to bring several related public and private enterprises under one telecommunications umbrella. Prior to this, telephony, telegraphy, local and international connections were fragmented and ill-coordinated.

Up to 1998, the telecommunications market in Greece was a monopoly. The market was opened to competitors and OTE was gradually privatized. As a result, the Greek government currently holds 10% of the company's stock. Along with the rest of the telecoms market, OTE is regulated by the National Telecommunications and Post Commission (Εθνική Επιτροπή Τηλεπικοινωνιών και Ταχυδρομείων – EETT).

In 2007 Marfin Investment Group acquired 20% of the company, and in March 2008 sold it to Germany's Deutsche Telekom which later increased its stake to 25% plus one vote, 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%.

1949 – 1964

• The TELEX service becomes operational.
• The first Greek telephone directory is published.
• 23 October 1949: ΟΤΕ S.A. is founded.

1965 – 1989

• The first fully digitised switching centres (long-distance and hub) of the EWSD/SIEMENS system are established.
• The first antenna of the Centre of Satellite Communication in Thermopylae (the 6th in Europe) is set up.
• Laying of the submarine cable Greece-Italy MED 3 is completed.
• The Greek long-distance telephone network is automated.

1990–2000

• Acquires GSM License in Bulgaria and establishes Globul to exploit this license.
• OTE is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
• OTE acquires an initial 35% stake in RomTelecom, the incumbent telephony company in Romania.
• ΟΤΕ is listed in the Athens Stock Exchange (IPO).
• ΟΤΕ expands to the Balkans, SE Europe and the Middle East.

2000 – 2010

• OTE makes available new speeds reaching 24Mbit/s.
• The Greek State sells 10.7% of OTE share capital to institutional investors.
• OTE and COSMOTE act as Grand National Sponsors of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
• OTE launches ADSL services in the Greek market.
• Satellite Hellas Sat2 is launched from Cape Canaveral.

2008

• OTE acquires full ownership of COSMOTE shares and the company is delisted from the ASE.
• Deutsche Telekom signs a shareholder agreement with the Greek government, via which, as of 5 November, each has a 25% stake plus one share in OTE share capital.
• OTE ADSL connections in Greece exceeded 970,000 while OTE network points of presence reached 1.390 countrywide.
• OTE launches conn-x TV (IPTV) to a limited number of existing clients for a trial period.

2009

• OTE presents Conn-x TV, based on IPTV technology.
• An additional 5% of Greek State shares, including voting rights, are sold, bringing Deutsche Telekom’s stake to 30%. Τhe Greek State’s participation is not at 20%. COSMOTE completes Telemobil SA (Zapp) acquisition in Romania.
• The sale of COSMOFON – owned by COSMOTE – in the Republic of Macedonia is completed.
• COSMOTE acquires full ownership of GERMANOS, a top telecom retail chain in the broader Southeast region.

2010

• OTE delists from the New York Stock Exchange.
• Michael Tsamaz, CEO of OTE Group’s mobile arm COSMOTE, assumes the position of OTE President & CEO.

2010's

In 2011 OTE signs agreement with Telekom Srbija to sell its 20% stake in the company for 380 million euros. Also it Launches satellite Pay TV services under the brand name OTE TV. The company signs three-year Collective Labour Agreement with OME-OTE, achieving personnel costs reduction and securing employment. Deutsche Telekom acquired extra 10% of OTE share capital raising its stake to 40%.

In 2012 it completes two Voluntary Retirement Programs. 1,516 employees accept company incentives.

• Launches VDSL Internet services, with speeds up to 50 Mbit/s.
• OTE TV subscriber base reaches 100.000, following the continuous strengthening of the platform with new channels, services and HD content.
• Launches reduced prices of up to 25% for Double Play Unlimited Plans that combine Internet and unlimited telephony to fixed lines.

2013

• Announces the signing of an agreement to sell its 100% stake in Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile EAD (Globul) and Germanos Telecom Bulgaria (Germanos) to Telenor, the Norwegian telecom operator. The agreement consideration reached €717 million (enterprise value).
• Announces the signing of a new Corporate Collective Labour Agreement. Salary standards and all previous Collective Agreements terms regarding institutional labour issues remain unaltered as per the 2011 Agreement Changes introduced to the Transfer and Disciplinary Regulations.
• 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.
• Raises 700 million euros through 5-year fixed coupon notes, following the successful completion of a bookbuilding process.

2014

• 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.

2015

• OTE announced on 25 September the intention to bring together it's fixed, internet and mobile operations under the Cosmote brand name, introducing a new logo.The new brand was made public on 26 October

Products

1. Fixed line

• Broadband services

OTE offers, since 2003, broadband services to the overwhelming majority of Greece. Conn-x, and Conn-x@work are the main broadband products for residential and business customers. Over 95% of existing telephone connections in Greece can have broadband services. OTE launched VDSL service in late November 2012 offering speeds of up to 50 Mbit/s to residential and business users.

• Voice services

A wide portfolio of telephony products among which packages that combine the monthly fee with prepaid call time for local, national, long distance and mobile calls.

• OTE TV

In 2011 OTE unified its pay TV services under the OTE TV umbrella. OTE TV is now available throughout Greece via Satellite or Via Conn-x (IPTV), and offers more than 70 channels, of which about 17 are in High Definition like OTE Sport. OTE TV Via Conn-x offers Video-on-Demand services, OTE Cinema-on-Demand and OTE Club-On-Demand.

• Business Customers

OTE offers managed network services as well as supply, set up, installation, and software OTE support services. The company develops and offers standardized solutions and packages that combine telephony, broadband access and Data Center services.

• Services for telecoms operators

OTE develops and offers wholesale services to telecoms operators: Broadband Access, Data transfer, Voice and Network interconnection, and Value Added services.

• International telephony, internet & data

OTEGlobe offers telecommunications services with a global range. International interconnection Solutions, International telephony solutions, international solutions for corporate customers (international VPN), International Solutions for mobile telephony operators (GRX, signaling, MMS Hub).

2. Mobile Telephony
COSMOTE in Greece and its subsidiaries in Albania and Romania offer mobile telecommunications services.

3. Other operations
OTE subsidiaries offer a wide range of products and services, from telecommunications products for the maritime world (OTESAT Maritel) to professional training (OTEAcademy).

Infrastructure

OTE’s access network is mainly based on copper (with over 5.3 million pairs) and on optical fibres that will gradually replace the copper network. Greece’s entire broadband network relies on OTE’s access network for all services provided by OTE and all alternate providers. The supported technologies are: ADSL/ADSL2/ADSL2+, NGA with FTTC/VDSL2 Architecture, Satellite broadband internet.

From 2008 to 2011, the company invested more than €500 million in networks and technological infrastructure.

Corporate responsibility and Corporate Governance

OTE applies international standards for reporting on Corporate Responsibility, especially the International Sustainability Reporting Guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Reports of 2006, 2007 and 2009 were all certified according to the "G3" international guidelines of the GRI. Since 2008, OTE has been included in the FTSE4Good Index which measures the performance of companies meeting globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. In 2010, OTE received the "gold" distinction in the Corporate Responsibility Index. In 2010, OTE won the award for Best Corporate Governance in Greece in the 2010 Corporate Governance Awards.

OTE Telecoms Museum

The OTE Museum of Telecommunications opened up to the public in 1990. It is housed in a 1000 m2 privately owned OTE building, in the district of New Kifisia – Athens. The purpose of the Museum is the research, study and documentation of historical data pertaining to the evolution of telecommunications from ancient times to the present day. The Museum is a member of The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage (T.I.C.C.I.H.).

Criticism

Siemens

In the 2008 Siemens scandal, Siemens AG officials were accused of bribing local politicians and senior OTE officials to win a multimillion-dollar contract ahead of the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

In July 2008, OTE filed a lawsuit against Siemens AG with the district court of Munich, Germany, seeking to compel Siemens AG to disclose the outcome of its internal investigations, with respect to allegations of undue influence and/or acts of bribery in connection with contracts concluded between Siemens AG and OTE from 1992 to 2006. OTE was granted access to the prosecutor’s files and in July 2010, OTE expanded its claim and requested payment of damages by Siemens AG of at least €57.07 million to OTE for alleged bribery payments to OTE employees.

In 2010, the chairman of a special parliamentary committee examining allegations of bribery by Siemens AG was reported by local media to have sent a letter saying that OTE's management should face charges for dereliction of duty and for damaging the interests of the state. In June 2010, Greek prosecutors said that OTE's chief executive officer, Panagis Vourloumis, should face criminal prosecution, accused of corrupt practices in the maintenance of network contracts extended to telecom equipment makers Siemens AG, Anko and Greece's Intracom Holdings SA. Panagiotis Vourloumis lodged an appeal to the Athens Court of Appeals which accepted his request to appear before the judges in person and to provide explanations for the case. In September 2011 the Court fully exonerated Vourloumis.

Comverse Technology

In April 2011, Comverse Technology Inc. (CTI), headquartered in US, admitted to charges related to the payment of bribes to employees of OTE between 2003 and 2006 in order to obtain purchase orders. These bribes totalled $536,000.

The management of OTE ordered an internal investigation to identify any possible involvement of executives and to protect the interests of the company.

Other

Area codes can be seen at List of dialing codes in Greece.

External links

• Official website