# Nortel

> Multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer

**Wikidata**: [Q464996](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q464996)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nortel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nortel

## Summary
Nortel was a multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer founded in 1895. It specialized in producing hardware for computer networks, including routers, switches, and wireless access points, and was a major player in the global telecommunications industry. The company dissolved in 2009 after facing financial challenges and restructuring efforts.

## Key Facts
- Founded on December 7, 1895, as Northern Electric, later rebranded as Northern Telecom (NT) and Nortel Networks.
- Originally headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with a later headquarters in Etobicoke, Ontario.
- Dissolved on January 1, 2009, after restructuring efforts and financial challenges.
- Produced networking hardware, including routers, switches, and wireless access points.
- Operated as a subsidiary of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada.
- Developed by engineers such as Zvonko Vranesic, who contributed to computer architecture and software engineering.
- Affiliated with the University of Toronto, where Vranesic held a professorship.
- Owned by BCE Inc., Bell Canada, and Western Electric.
- Created the USB standard in collaboration with other companies.
- Had a significant presence in the telecommunications industry, with products used globally.
- Had a stock exchange listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
- Had a diverse range of subsidiaries, including Bay Networks.
- Had a rich history of innovation in telecommunications and data networking equipment.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Nortel’s primary business?
A: Nortel was a multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer, specializing in producing hardware for computer networks, including routers, switches, and wireless access points.

### Q: When was Nortel founded and dissolved?
A: Nortel was founded on December 7, 1895, as Northern Electric, and dissolved on January 1, 2009, after restructuring efforts and financial challenges.

### Q: Where was Nortel headquartered?
A: Nortel was originally headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and later moved its headquarters to Etobicoke, Ontario.

### Q: Who were some key figures associated with Nortel?
A: Key figures associated with Nortel included Zvonko Vranesic, a Canadian chess player and professor of computer engineering, and BCE Inc., Bell Canada, and Western Electric, which were involved in its ownership and operations.

### Q: What were some of Nortel’s notable products?
A: Nortel’s notable products included routers, switches, and wireless access points, which were used in computer networks and telecommunications.

### Q: What was Nortel’s relationship with the University of Toronto?
A: Nortel was affiliated with the University of Toronto, where Zvonko Vranesic held a professorship in computer engineering, contributing to the development of computer architecture and software engineering.

### Q: What was Nortel’s role in the telecommunications industry?
A: Nortel played a significant role in the telecommunications industry by producing networking hardware and collaborating on standards like USB, which were essential for computer networks and data communication.

## Why It Matters
Nortel was a pivotal player in the telecommunications and data networking equipment industry, known for its innovative hardware solutions that facilitated global communication. The company’s products, including routers, switches, and wireless access points, were integral to the development of computer networks and the internet. Nortel’s contributions to the USB standard and its extensive network of subsidiaries and affiliations underscored its role in shaping the modern telecommunications landscape. Despite its dissolution in 2009, Nortel’s legacy continues to influence the industry through its technological advancements and the expertise of its engineers and affiliated institutions.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the development of networking hardware essential for computer networks and telecommunications.
- Contributing to the USB standard, which became a foundational technology for data communication.
- Producing innovative products like routers, switches, and wireless access points that were widely used globally.
- Affiliating with the University of Toronto, where Zvonko Vranesic made significant contributions to computer architecture and software engineering.
- Being owned by major telecommunications companies like BCE Inc., Bell Canada, and Western Electric.
- Having a rich history of innovation and technological advancements in the telecommunications industry.
- Dissolving in 2009 after restructuring efforts and financial challenges, marking the end of an era in telecommunications.

## Body
### Overview
Nortel was a multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer founded on December 7, 1895, as Northern Electric. Over the years, it evolved into Northern Telecom (NT) and later Nortel Networks, becoming a significant player in the global telecommunications industry. The company specialized in producing hardware for computer networks, including routers, switches, and wireless access points. Nortel’s dissolution on January 1, 2009, marked the end of an era in telecommunications, but its legacy continues to influence the industry.

### History
Nortel was founded in 1895 as Northern Electric, with its headquarters initially in Ottawa, Canada. The company underwent several rebrandings, including Northern Telecom (NT) and Nortel Networks, reflecting its evolution in the telecommunications industry. Nortel’s history is marked by innovation and technological advancements, contributing to the development of essential networking hardware and standards like USB.

### Products and Services
Nortel produced a diverse range of networking hardware, including routers, switches, and wireless access points. These products were integral to the development of computer networks and telecommunications, enabling data communication and connectivity. Nortel’s innovations in networking hardware played a crucial role in shaping the modern telecommunications landscape.

### Ownership and Affiliations
Nortel was owned by major telecommunications companies, including BCE Inc., Bell Canada, and Western Electric. These affiliations underscored Nortel’s role in the telecommunications industry and its contributions to global communication networks. Nortel also had a significant presence in the telecommunications industry, with products used globally.

### Key Figures
Zvonko Vranesic, a Canadian chess player and professor of computer engineering, was a key figure associated with Nortel. Vranesic’s contributions to computer architecture and software engineering, particularly in the development of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and VHDL, were instrumental in Nortel’s technological advancements. His affiliation with the University of Toronto further cemented Nortel’s connection to academic and technological innovation.

### Dissolution and Legacy
Nortel dissolved on January 1, 2009, after restructuring efforts and financial challenges. Despite its dissolution, Nortel’s legacy continues to influence the telecommunications industry through its technological advancements and the expertise of its engineers and affiliated institutions. The company’s contributions to networking hardware and standards like USB remain foundational to modern telecommunications.

### Related Entities
Nortel was affiliated with various entities, including the University of Toronto, where Zvonko Vranesic held a professorship. Nortel’s subsidiaries, such as Bay Networks, further expanded its presence in the telecommunications industry. These affiliations and subsidiaries underscored Nortel’s role in shaping the modern telecommunications landscape.

### Stock Exchange Listings
Nortel had a significant presence in the stock exchange market, with listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange. These listings reflected the company’s financial standing and its role as a major player in the telecommunications industry.

### Innovations and Standards
Nortel played a pivotal role in the development of the USB standard, collaborating with other companies to create a foundational technology for data communication. This innovation further cemented Nortel’s legacy in the telecommunications industry.

### Global Impact
Nortel’s products and services were used globally, reflecting the company’s significant impact on the telecommunications industry. Its innovations in networking hardware and standards like USB played a crucial role in shaping the modern telecommunications landscape.

### Conclusion
Nortel’s legacy in the telecommunications industry is marked by innovation, technological advancements, and a significant impact on global communication networks. Despite its dissolution in 2009, Nortel’s contributions continue to influence the industry, underscoring its role as a pioneer in telecommunications and data networking equipment.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.archeion.ca/northern-telecom)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. National Software Reference Library
6. [Source](http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids)
7. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
8. GRID Release 2015-12-14
9. GRID Release 2016-12-06
10. Quora
11. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
12. [Source](https://www.iana.org/assignments/enterprise-numbers/enterprise-numbers)
13. CollectieGelderland