The new technological strategies of multinationals in the telecommunications sector

ABSTRACT The industry of telecommunications equipment is considered a strategic high-technology sector and needs large long-time investments in R&D. During the last three decades, the technological strategies of multinationals corporations which control 80% of the world market has been shaped according to two patterns. During the 60’s and 70’s, the telecommunications public administration used to select the technical basis of the main equipment systems, to finance and realize R&D projects jointly with local firms, to allocate them the public purchases. This has permitted to strengthen the local firms on the national and international markets. Since the 80’s, fusions, mergers and technological agreements traduce a concentration process. Japanese and European corporations intensify their direct investments in the US market. The competition grows rapidly in the deregulated small equipment market.