OTE

OTE, formally the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A., is Greece's historic telecommunications operator and one of the country's largest listed companies. Established in 1949 as a successor to the Hellenic Telephone Company, OTE was created to coordinate Greece's previously fragmented telephone, telegraph, domestic-connection and international-communications infrastructure. For most of the post-war period it operated as a state-owned monopoly. The Greek telecommunications market began opening to competition in the 1990s, and OTE subsequently moved through a long privatization process while remaining a central provider of national communications infrastructure. The group has developed beyond traditional fixed-line telephony. Its activities have included fixed and mobile voice services, broadband access, fiber and other next-generation connectivity, pay television, satellite communications, retail distribution, contact-center services, information and communications technology, professional training, insurance agency services and management of telecommunications-related real estate. In Greece, the group has operated consumer-facing activities through brands and businesses including COSMOTE, Germanos and OTE TV, while the corporate group has also held or developed operations in several Balkan and southeastern European markets. OTE's strategic direction changed substantially during the 2000s. It expanded internationally, participated in mobile ventures and acquired or consolidated important Greek telecommunications assets. Deutsche Telekom entered the shareholding structure in 2008 through an agreement with the Greek state and became the company's largest shareholder in 2009. The German group later increased its holding, including a further acquisition in 2018, making OTE a subsidiary within the Deutsche Telekom group. OTE has remained listed on the Athens Exchange; it previously had a New York Stock Exchange listing but later delisted there. The company has repeatedly shifted its portfolio toward broadband, mobile data, television and higher-speed fixed networks. It introduced ADSL in Greece, later expanded VDSL availability and announced major investment in fiber infrastructure. Its consumer brands were consolidated under the COSMOTE name in 2015, reflecting an effort to present fixed, mobile, internet and television services as a unified offering. In 2024, the group announced the integration of the COSMOTE identity with Deutsche Telekom's brand architecture under the name Cosmote Telekom, with a subsequent announcement that the brand would transition to Telekom in autumn 2026. OTE also maintains activities outside direct connectivity. Its subsidiaries and affiliated businesses have included COSMOTE e-value for contact-center services, Germanos for technology and telecommunications retail, OTE Estate for property management and OTEAcademy for education and professional training. The OTE Telecommunications Museum in Athens, opened to the public in 1990, preserves material relating to the history and development of telecommunications. OTE is regulated in Greece by the National Telecommunications and Post Commission, alongside other telecommunications providers.

OTE was founded on 23 October 1949 under Greek legislation as the successor to the Hellenic Telephone Company, which had been established in 1926 to bring together Greece's fragmented public and private telecommunications activities. Its early role covered telephone and telegraph services as well as domestic and international connections. During the following decades OTE helped build a coordinated national network, including automated long-distance services, submarine connectivity with Italy, satellite-communications infrastructure and increasingly digitized switching centers. Until the late 1990s, OTE operated as a state-owned telecommunications monopoly. The Greek market began opening to competitors in 1998, and the company entered a gradual privatization process. OTE was listed on the Athens Exchange and later on the New York Stock Exchange. During the 1990s and early 2000s it expanded into the Balkans, southeastern Europe and the Middle East. International activity included an initial stake in Romania's RomTelecom, the creation of Globul in Bulgaria after obtaining a GSM license, and participation in other regional telecommunications businesses. The 2000s brought a major expansion of consumer services. OTE introduced ADSL broadband in Greece and increased available connection speeds. Together with COSMOTE, it served as a grand national sponsor of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The group also developed satellite and television activities, including the launch of Hellas Sat 2 and the introduction of CONN-X TV, which preceded later OTE TV services. OTE subsequently acquired full ownership of COSMOTE, while COSMOTE owned the Germanos telecommunications and technology retail chain. A decisive ownership change occurred in 2008, when an agreement between the Greek government and Deutsche Telekom gave each party 25 percent plus one share. Further transactions led Deutsche Telekom to become the largest shareholder in 2009. The Greek state continued reducing its holding, while Deutsche Telekom increased its position to 40 percent in 2011 and later acquired an additional 5 percent in 2018 through its right of first refusal. OTE thus became a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary while continuing to trade publicly in Athens. During the 2010s, OTE reshaped its portfolio around broadband, mobile services, pay television and network modernization. It sold or exited a number of regional holdings, including interests connected with Telekom Srbija, Hellas Sat and Bulgarian operations. It expanded VDSL availability, offered higher-speed broadband and carried out voluntary redundancy programs and employment agreements intended to reduce costs and adapt the business to a competitive market. In 2015, the COSMOTE name became the single consumer-facing brand for OTE's products and services. Network investment increasingly moved toward fiber and other next-generation infrastructure. OTE's management identified fiber deployment as a core strategic priority and announced a multiyear investment program. The group also retained a range of supporting businesses, including contact-center operations, retail, real-estate management and professional training. Its Telecommunications Museum in Athens, opened to the public in 1990, documents the history of communications technology and OTE's role in Greece. In the 2020s, the group continued aligning its Greek consumer identity with Deutsche Telekom's international brand architecture. In 2024 it announced the Cosmote Telekom identity, and it later announced a planned transition to the Telekom name in autumn 2026. OTE remains an active Greek telecommunications and ICT group, regulated by Greece's National Telecommunications and Post Commission and focused on fixed and mobile connectivity, broadband, television and business services.

1. 2024Cosmote Telekom branding announced

   The group announced the consolidation of the COSMOTE and Deutsche Telekom brand identities.

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2. 2018Deutsche Telekom acquires an additional five percent

   Deutsche Telekom exercised its right of first refusal and completed the acquisition of an additional OTE stake.

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3. 2015COSMOTE becomes the single consumer brand

   OTE unified its consumer products and services under the COSMOTE name.

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4. 2011Deutsche Telekom raises its stake

   Deutsche Telekom acquired an additional 10 percent of OTE's share capital, reaching a 40 percent holding.

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5. 2009COSMOTE becomes fully owned by OTE

   OTE acquired the remaining shares of COSMOTE and completed its ownership integration.

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6. 2008Deutsche Telekom enters strategic ownership

   An agreement gave Deutsche Telekom and the Greek state equal holdings of 25 percent plus one share.

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7. 2004Olympic Games sponsorship

   OTE and COSMOTE served as grand national sponsors of the Athens Olympic Games.

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8. 2000OTE launches ADSL services

   The company introduced ADSL broadband access in Greece.

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9. 1998Greek telecommunications market opens to competition

   OTE's former monopoly position ended as the market was opened to competing providers.

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10. 1996Privatization begins

    The Greek state began reducing its ownership in OTE.

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11. 1990Telecommunications Museum opens

    OTE opened its Telecommunications Museum to preserve and present the history of communications.

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12. 1949OTE is founded

    OTE was established on 23 October as the successor to the Hellenic Telephone Company.

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13. 1926Hellenic Telephone Company established

    The Hellenic Telephone Company was created as an earlier effort to consolidate Greece's fragmented telephone services.

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National incumbent and integrated communications provider serving consumers, businesses and public-sector users in Greece, with a broad portfolio spanning fixed, mobile, broadband, television and ICT services.

• Fixed-line telephonyTelecommunications1949

  OTE's original and historic service area is fixed-line voice communication over Greece's national telecommunications network. The business has evolved from conventional telephone connections toward bundled voice, broadband and other household communications packages.

• COSMOTE mobile communicationsMobile telecommunications

  COSMOTE became OTE's principal consumer mobile identity after OTE acquired full ownership of COSMOTE. The portfolio includes mobile voice and data services and forms part of the group's integrated consumer communications offering in Greece.

• Broadband and fiber connectivityInternet access2000

  OTE has provided fixed broadband through successive technology generations, beginning with ADSL and later expanding VDSL and fiber-oriented infrastructure. These services support household and business internet access, higher connection speeds and bundled voice offerings.

• OTE TVPay television

  OTE TV is the group's pay-television activity, developed through IPTV and satellite delivery. It followed the earlier CONN-X TV trial and incorporated television channels, high-definition content and related subscription services.

• Business ICT servicesInformation technology and communications

  OTE Group provides integrated information and communications technology services for business and institutional customers, using its fixed, mobile and broadband capabilities together with professional communications solutions.

• GermanosTelecommunications retail

  Germanos is OTE's telecommunications and technology retail business. It distributes telecommunications services and technology products and has operated as a wholly owned group subsidiary.

• 2015COSMOTE unified brand launch

  Greece

  OTE consolidated its consumer communications products and services under the COSMOTE brand to create a more unified market identity across fixed, mobile, broadband and television services.

  Outcome. COSMOTE became the group's single consumer-facing brand.

  Source
• 2004Athens Olympic Games national sponsorship

  Greece

  OTE and COSMOTE participated as grand national sponsors of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, linking the group with Greece's largest international sporting event.

  Outcome. National sponsorship completed in connection with the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

  Source

• 2024Brand integration with Deutsche TelekomStrategy

  OTE was aligning its Greek consumer identity with Deutsche Telekom's international brand architecture.

  What changed. The group announced the Cosmote Telekom brand identity and later communicated a planned transition to the Telekom name in autumn 2026.

  Aftermath. The announced transition is intended to bring OTE's consumer branding closer to the wider Deutsche Telekom group.

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• 2017Fiber-network investment priorityStrategy

  Demand for faster fixed broadband and next-generation networks was increasing in Greece.

  What changed. Management prioritized fiber-optic network development and announced a multiyear investment program through 2020.

  Aftermath. Network modernization became a central element of OTE's long-term competitive strategy.

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• 2015Consumer-brand consolidation under COSMOTEStrategy

  OTE sought to present its fixed, mobile, broadband and television products as one integrated consumer proposition.

  What changed. The company established COSMOTE as the single brand for its consumer products and services.

  Aftermath. The COSMOTE identity became the main customer-facing brand across the Greek portfolio.

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• 2013Divestment of selected international assetsM&A

  OTE was concentrating its portfolio and managing capital across a difficult regional telecommunications environment.

  What changed. The group announced sales involving its Hellas Sat holding and its Bulgarian operations Globul and Germanos Telecom Bulgaria.

  Aftermath. The transactions reduced OTE's exposure to selected international assets and supported a more focused group structure.

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• 2009Full acquisition of COSMOTEM&A

  Mobile communications had become a core growth area for the wider OTE group.

  What changed. OTE acquired the remaining shares of COSMOTE and made the mobile operator wholly owned.

  Aftermath. OTE gained tighter control over its fixed-mobile portfolio and later used COSMOTE as its principal consumer brand.

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• 2008Strategic ownership agreement with Deutsche TelekomM&A

  The Greek state was progressively privatizing OTE while the company faced a more competitive telecommunications market.

  What changed. The Greek government and Deutsche Telekom agreed to hold 25 percent plus one share each.

  Aftermath. Deutsche Telekom later became OTE's largest shareholder and the company became part of the Deutsche Telekom group.

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• 2000Launch of ADSL broadbandProduct launch

  The Greek market was moving from traditional voice networks toward internet access and data services.

  What changed. OTE introduced ADSL services and subsequently expanded available connection speeds.

  Aftermath. Broadband became a central part of OTE's consumer and business portfolio.

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• 2026OTE announces planned transition to the Telekom brand

  OTE announced that the Cosmote Telekom name would change to Telekom in autumn 2026.

  Campaign
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• 2025OTE completes disposal of Telekom Romania Mobile

  OTE announced the completion of the sale of Telekom Romania Mobile Communications to Vodafone Romania, following the earlier disposal of its Romanian fixed-line business.

  M&A
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• 2024COSMOTE identity is integrated with Deutsche Telekom branding

  OTE Group announced the consolidation of the COSMOTE brand with Deutsche Telekom's identity under the Cosmote Telekom name.

  Campaign
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• 2024Kostas Nebis appointed chief executive of OTE

  Kostas Nebis succeeded Michael Tsamaz as OTE's chief executive, marking a change in the group's top management after Tsamaz's long tenure.

  Leadership change
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• 2024Kostas Nebis appointed Chief Executive Officer of OTE

  OTE appointed Kostas Nebis as chief executive officer, succeeding Michael Tsamaz after his long tenure leading the group.

  Leadership change
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• 2024OTE continues fiber and 5G network investment in Greece

  The group continued expanding high-speed fiber access and upgrading its mobile network as part of its strategy to support converged digital services.

  Other
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• 2024Kostas Nebis appointed OTE Group chief executive

  Kostas Nebis took over as chief executive officer after Michael Tsamaz, who had led OTE since 2010.

  Leadership change
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• 2023OTE and Deutsche Telekom advanced fiber and 5G investment in Greece

  The group continued deploying next-generation fixed and mobile networks, including fiber access and 5G, as part of the modernization of Greece's communications infrastructure.

  Product generationOther
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• 2023OTE and Deutsche Telekom remain focused on Greek telecommunications growth

  The controlling shareholder and OTE management emphasized network investment, digital transformation and operating performance in the Greek market.

  Other
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• 2022OTE completed the divestment of Telekom Romania Mobile

  OTE sold Telekom Romania Mobile to Vodafone Romania, continuing its withdrawal from the Romanian telecommunications market and concentrating the group on Greece.

  M&A
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• 2021OTE sells Telekom Romania fixed-line business to Orange Romania

  OTE completed the sale of Telekom Romania Communications, its Romanian fixed-line telecommunications business, to Orange Romania after receiving the required regulatory approvals.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2017OTE announces major fiber investment program

  Management identified fiber-optic network development as a strategic priority and outlined substantial investment through 2020.

  Other
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• 2015COSMOTE becomes the unified consumer brand

  OTE consolidated its consumer products and services under the COSMOTE brand.

  Campaign
  Source
• 2013OTE sells its Hellas Sat stake

  OTE announced the sale of its majority stake in Hellas Sat to Arabsat.

  M&A
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• 2013OTE sells Bulgarian telecommunications assets

  OTE agreed to sell Globul and Germanos Telecom Bulgaria to Telenor.

  M&A
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• 2010OTE delists from the New York Stock Exchange

  OTE ended its New York Stock Exchange listing while retaining its Athens listing.

  Other
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• 2009Deutsche Telekom becomes OTE's largest shareholder

  Following share sales by the Greek state, Deutsche Telekom increased its holding and became OTE's largest shareholder.

  M&AOther
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• OTE operates as Deutsche Telekom's Greek telecommunications business

  OTE remains a publicly listed Greek telecommunications company controlled by Deutsche Telekom and serving consumer, business, and institutional markets through fixed, mobile, broadband, television, and ICT activities.

  Other
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• Continued investment in fiber and next-generation mobile networks

  Network modernization is a continuing strategic theme for OTE, including the expansion of fiber broadband and next-generation mobile services in Greece.

  Other
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1. OTE
2. OTE official website
3. OTE completes disposal of Telekom Romania Mobile
4. Kostas Nebis appointed chief executive of OTE
5. Kostas Nebis appointed Chief Executive Officer of OTE
6. OTE continues fiber and 5G network investment in Greece
7. Kostas Nebis appointed OTE Group chief executive