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| 1975-1987: Here comes NATEL |
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1975
Switzerland's postal and telecommunications services (PTT) decide to introduce a mobile telephone network (NATEL = Nationales Autotelefonnetz) for vehicles as part of the Federal Council´s effort to boost the Swiss economy.
1976
First digital long-distance data telecommunication network goes into operation (2 Mbit/s).
1978
Launch of the first NATEL A network marks the beginning of the remarkable success story of mobile telephony in Switzerland.
1979
70 subscribers take part in a pilot project for Videotex.
1980
Pilot launch of the fax machine.
1982
Switzerland boasts three million telephone subscribers.
International direct dialling now available to all subscribers.
1983
NATEL B network goes into operation. The precursor of today´s mobile phones is a 12-kg radio phone that comes complete with a carrier case.
Federal Council gives the green light for experimental operation of 36 local radio stations.
1984
Beginning of the end for the big telephone monopolies: Great Britain privatises British Telecom and AT&T loses its monopoly of the US market.
1985
The first fibre-optic cable between Berne and Neuchatel goes into operation (at 140 Mbit/s).
Opening of the first PTT video conference studio at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
1987
Launch of the NATEL C network paves the way for modern mobile telephony.
Videotex now a commercial service available to the public at large
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