The history of wired telecommunications in Hungary spans more than 150 years, reflecting the evolution of global communication technology from the mid-19th century to the digital era. This chronology traces the key milestones from the first telegraph lines to the complete digitalization of Hungary’s wired network in 2005, highlighting technological, organizational, and regulatory changes that shaped the country’s communications infrastructure.
Summary
From the first telegraph line between Vienna and Pozsony in 1847, to the fully digital national network in 2005, Hungary’s wired telecommunications history reflects the evolution of global communication technology:
- Telegraph era (1847–1877) →
- Birth of telephony (1877–1884) →
- Rapid urban telephone network expansion (1880s–1910s) →
- Automation and underground infrastructure development (1920s–1930s) →
- Carrier-frequency and coaxial cable era (1940s–1960s) →
- Digital PCM and first fiber optic links (1970s–1980s) →
- Privatization, GSM boom, Internet introduction (1990s) →
- Full digitalization and IP-based future (2005).
Major Milestones of Hungarian Wired Telecommunications
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1847 | First telegraph line built between Vienna and Pozsony by the Austrian government. |
| 1850 | First underground telegraph cable laid between Pozsony and Pest. |
| 1867 | Royal Hungarian Telegraph established after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise. |
| 1877 | First experimental telephone connection in Hungary (Sopron–Pinnye, 18 km). |
| 1879 | Ferenc Puskás demonstrates the telephone in Budapest. |
| 1881 | First Budapest telephone exchange opened (Fürdő Street) with 25 subscribers. |
| 1882 | First telephone directory published (238 subscribers). |
| 1889 | First long-distance telephone line Budapest–Vienna completed (262 km). |
| 1893 | Tivadar Puskás patents “Telephone News” (Telefonhírmondó). |
| 1897 | Budapest telephone network nationalized; major underground cable projects start. |
| 1913 | Severe frost destroys 80% of overhead network → underground network expansion accelerates. |
| 1928 | Krisztina automatic exchange inaugurated (Budapest). |
| 1938 | First rotary automatic exchange (7DU type) in Pápa. |
| 1943 | Budapest–Miskolc carrier-frequency trunk line completed. |
| 1954 | Post Central Cable Plant (PKK) established for large-scale cable network development. |
| 1957 | Morse telegraph service discontinued in Hungary. |
| 1962 | Ferenc exchange (7A2 type) commissioned in Budapest. |
| 1969 | First mini-coaxial long-distance cable installed between Budapest and Vienna. |
| 1975 | First petroleum jelly (vaseline)-filled cables manufactured in Hungary. |
| 1978 | PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) introduced in trunk networks. |
| 1983 | ODÁR I project: first major digital inter-exchange cable link (Belváros–József exchanges). |
| 1985 | First fiber optic cable link in Hungary (Tata–Almásfüzitő–Komárom). |
| 1989 | First stored program-controlled digital exchange (ADS type) commissioned in Szombathely. |
| 1990 | Hungarian Post split into MATÁV, Antenna Hungária, and Magyar Posta. |
| 1991 | MATÁV becomes a joint-stock company (Rt). |
| 1993 | Telecommunications Act comes into effect; MATÁV partially privatized (Deutsche Telekom & Ameritech). |
| 1994 | First GSM mobile networks launched (Pannon GSM and Westel 900). |
| 1996 | Internet service launched in Hungary. |
| 1999 | Last rotary exchange dismantled (József exchange). |
| 2002 | Last public telex exchange shut down. |
| 2005 | Last analog telephone exchange switched off (Miskolc) → Hungary fully digitalized. |
Detailed chronology
1847
The Austrian government built the first telegraph line in Hungary—for governmental and railway purposes—between Vienna and Pozsony (Bratislava). It branched from the Vienna–Prague line along the Gänsendorf–Marchegg–Pozsony route. The line opened for traffic in 1847. It operated only briefly because, on June 12, 1848, due to the outbreak of the War of Independence, the Austrian government dismantled the telegraph in Pozsony and recalled the telegraph operators.
1849
After the surrender at Világos, on August 21, 1849, the Austrian government ordered the construction of a telegraph line between Pest-Buda and Vienna, which was completed in 1850. The line was opened and put into operation on October 1, 1850. For security reasons, the telegraph equipment was installed in the Károly Barracks, in a room on the Gránátos Street side of the building complex.
1850
The first underground telegraph cable was laid between Pozsony and Pest.
1851
From November 1, 1851, Baron Karl Ludwig von Bruck, Minister of Commerce and Public Works, unified the supreme administration of the Austrian Post and Telegraph, and from January 1852, the lower-level administration as well. This forced unification broke down after a few years due to operational dysfunction.
1853
At the request of Archduke Albrecht, a telegraph station was established in Buda Castle on October 21, 1853, which from 1857 also transmitted private telegrams.
1867
Following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, the Royal Hungarian Telegraph was established. At the same time, the first Hungarian telegraph center was created. Organized professional education for Hungarian telecommunications specialists also began.
1877
In December 1877, Leó Salamin, director of the Royal Main Realschule in Sopron, established the first long-distance telephone connection in Hungary between the Sopron and Pinnye railway stations using an existing telegraph line (about 18 km long). The newspaper Sopron reported the event in its December 8, 1877 issue.
1878
A private telephone network began operating in Bärenbergbánya.
1879
On June 4, 1879, Ferenc Puskás first demonstrated the telephone and its operation—later on several occasions—over a line installed between the ground floor and second floor rooms of his apartment on Gyöngytyúk Street, to the capital’s elite and authorities, to convince them of the new invention’s importance and necessity.
On June 28, 1879, Ferenc Puskás submitted his application for permission to establish the “Budapest Telephone Network” to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, which was then responsible for such matters.
To emphasize the telephone’s significance, Puskás set up the first practical telephone connection between the Ministry’s office on Tükör Street and its technical department on Mária Valéria Street.
1880
On May 20, 1880, by decree No. 4767 of Baron Gábor Kemény, Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Trade, Ferenc Puskás was granted exclusive rights for 20 years to establish telephone connections in Budapest and Újpest.
1881
On May 1, 1881, Ferenc Puskás opened the telephone exchange at 10 Fürdő Street with 25 subscribers. The first female telephone operator was Júlia Matkovits.
On August 1, the second exchange opened at 11 Lövész Street, which also served as the central office.
On December 1, the Temesvár (Timișoara) telephone exchange opened.
1882
In Buda, the third exchange opened at 4 Pálffy Square, with 27 subscribers. The interconnecting line between Pest and Buda over the Margaret Bridge included the first use of cable. Confidence in cable was so low that 16 overhead wires were also strung along the bridge’s south side.
On February 1, the first telephone directory, “List of Subscribers of the Budapest Telephone Network,” was published, listing 238 subscribers.
On February 4, for a press ball at the Vigadó, Ferenc Puskás installed a line from the National Theatre so that the audience could listen to Ferenc Erkel’s opera Hunyadi László through 12 telephones.
1883
Due to deteriorating health, Ferenc Puskás requested that the license to build a telephone network for Budapest and Újpest be transferred to his brother, Tivadar Puskás.
The Minister of Public Works and Transport approved the request in decree No. 13,115 on May 6, 1883, but modified the licensing conditions. From then on, the state had unlimited rights to build telephone networks not only for state purposes but also for public purposes anywhere, and the preferential rights granted to Ferenc Puskás were abolished. Additionally, from May 1, the state secured a 5% share of the gross revenues.
On June 29, 1883, the ministerial decree authorized the transmission of telegrams by telephone.
1884
The telephone company, holding the necessary permits, opened the first public telephone stations in Pest and Újpest.
Ferenc Puskás died on March 22, 1884. His grave is in the National Cemetery.
1885
Due to the high cost of building the telephone network, and to expand financial resources further, on September 3, 1885, under notarial deed No. 875/1885, Tivadar Puskás and Gyula Földiák, along with Viktor Dapsy and Dr. Izsó Dezső, founded a general partnership called “Budapesti Telefonhálózat, Puskás Tivadar és Társai” (Budapest Telephone Network, Tivadar Puskás & Partners). This provided new financial resources for the company.
The Minister of Public Works and Transport approved the continuation of the activities under the original license terms on September 3, 1885 (approval No. 39,785). (The company dissolved in September 1887, and under the contract approved as No. 5583/1888, Tivadar Puskás again became the license holder for the Budapest telephone network.)
1887
Minister Gábor Baross, with the approval of His Majesty Emperor and King Franz Joseph I, issued a decree on June 25, unifying the Post and Telegraph Offices.
The first 12 postal engineers were hired. They took an oath on September 20, 1887, and assumed their duties on October 1 as “postal officers.” Of the 12 engineers hired, three—Endre Kolossváry, József Vater, and Pál Balla—were assigned to the postal and telegraph department of the Royal Hungarian Ministry of Public Works and Transport. The remaining nine were assigned to the combined postal and telegraph directorates:
- Frigyes Schaden – Budapest
- Ferenc Medgyes – Kassa (Košice)
- Károly Szabó – Nagyszeben (Sibiu)
- Elemér Gál – Nagyvárad (Oradea)
- József Hollós – Pécs
- Lajos Szolyka – Pozsony (Bratislava)
- Károly Kakujai – Sopron
- Kálmán Gere – Temesvár (Timișoara)
- Dusan Perkits – Zagreb
The engineer in Zagreb resigned and was replaced by Emil Ottó after a new application. Decree No. 22,119/1887 listed in detail the duties of postal engineers and required them, in the 11th month of service, to submit a memorandum with well-reasoned proposals for necessary changes based on their experience, and after one year, to pass an examination before a designated committee.
Decree No. 41,595/1887 K.K.M. also required quarterly study of Hungarian and foreign technical literature related to postal, telegraph, and telephone services and electrical engineering.
On October 18, 1887, under decree No. 41,356, a contract was concluded between the state treasury and Tivadar Puskás, transferring ownership of the Budapest telephone network to the state treasury.
The contract placed the construction of telephone networks under exclusive state control, but their operation in Budapest was leased back to Tivadar Puskás for 30 years under state supervision. The company name remained “Budapesti Telefonhálózat, Puskás Tivadar és Társai.”
This nationalization positively impacted the development of the telephone network by increasing public confidence, which in turn accelerated subscriber growth. Tivadar Puskás also reduced the subscription fee from 180 to 150 forints per year, attracting more customers.
1888
The hiring of postal engineers and the need for more efficient network development required a legal basis, resulting in Act XXXI of 1888. This law declared the construction of telegraph, telephone, and electric signaling equipment to be a reserved right of the state. According to Section 8:
“Building owners and landowners are obliged to tolerate the attachment of wires of public telegraphs and telephones to buildings or roofs, and their connection, without hindering the unrestricted use of the property, free of charge. They may only claim compensation for damages or restoration of the previous condition caused by the attachment or connection.”
1889
The construction of the first long-distance telephone circuits between Budapest and Vienna was authorized by Emperor Franz Joseph I on August 24, 1889.
Engineers Endre Kolozsvári and Pál Balla were assigned to design the circuits and studied long-distance networks in Germany and Switzerland. Based on these observations, they prepared the construction plan, cost estimates, and induction-proofing designs.
The Hungarian section cost was estimated at 200,000 forints.
For induction-proofing, a 850-meter experimental line was built near Csengőd along the Budapest-Zimony railway line. The results led to twisted-pair construction with periodic crossings. Hungary was the first to place telephone lines alongside a railway.
The 262 km line (220 km in Hungary, 42 km in Austria) used 3 mm diameter silicon-bronze wire in three double-wire circuits. The line was completed in December 1889 and opened for service on January 1, 1890.
In Budapest, the circuits terminated at a crossbar switchboard on the third floor of the Main Post Office building on Gránátos Street. This center served not only the Main Post Office telephone stations but also Minister Gábor Baross, several major banks, wholesalers, and the grain exchange.
1890
Tivadar Puskás sold all his shares to the Commercial Bank, and his name disappeared from company signage. From then on, he devoted all his time and energy to developing and realizing his new inventions, the “telephone newspaper” and “Telefonhírmondó” (telephone news service), which he patented in 1892.
A ministerial decree ordered the relocation of overhead networks from wall brackets to rooftop supports.
1891
Number-based telephone calling was introduced.
1892
The Budapest–Berlin telegraph line was put into operation.
1893
On February 17, 1893, Pesti Hírlap reported on the creation of the “Telefon Hírmondó.”
On March 16, 1893, Tivadar Puskás died. His grave is in the National Cemetery.
That same year, four more circuits were added to the Budapest–Vienna long-distance line.
On December 3, 1893, long-distance circuits were inaugurated between Budapest, Pozsony, Győr, Szeged, Temesvár, and Arad.
1896
Minister Ernő Dániel, by decree No. 81,300/1896, established the Post and Telegraph Directorate-General. It began operations on June 1, 1896, with seven departments.
1897
Act XVI nationalized the Budapest telephone network completely.
Numerous small exchanges were eliminated, and the main exchange opened on Szerecsen Street. This included the first major aerial line reconstruction and re-routing.
Minister Ernő Dániel also created the Budapest Royal Telephone Network Directorate on May 14, 1897.
To study underground telephone network systems, two engineers went on a study tour abroad in 1897 and, upon return, reported in detail on the observed systems and construction methods. Based on these findings, they began developing a similar system for Hungary, deemed essential for the rapidly expanding Budapest network. They adopted the Swedish block-duct system, developed and patented by Swedish engineer Hultmann, providing excellent protection and easy accessibility. These ducts consisted of 1-meter-long concrete elements forming multi-hole conduits, with underground cable vaults at bends and endpoints for cable pulling and splicing.
1898
The first official site inspection for Hultmann block-duct installation took place on April 30, 1898, for a section connecting the Szerecsen Street exchange (now Paulay Ede Street) with the Main Post Office on Gránátos Street (now Városház Street).
Construction began on October 27, 1898, with the excavation of the first manhole at Szerecsen Street and Váci Boulevard (now Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road). By year’s end, 2,750 meters of block duct of various cross-sections and 30 manholes had been completed. Contractors included Péter Melocco, Mihály Hirsch, Jenő J. Kis, and Károly Kövér.
1899
On March 10, 1899, the first lead-sheathed cable was pulled into the completed underground system: a 208×2/0.8 mm copper conductor cable with paper-air insulation. Installation was carried out by the cable manufacturer.
The Post purchased properties at 54–56 Nagymező Street and 33–35 Hajós Street (2,533 m² total) for a new main exchange. Construction began the same year.
On December 4, a long-distance telegraph link to London was inaugurated.
On December 6, a link to Sofia; and on December 16, a link to Sarajevo were opened.
1901
Minister Sándor Hegedűs established the “Budapest Telephone Network Conversion Engineering Directorate” (1901–1904) by decree dated May 3, 1901, effective July 1.
1902
On March 7, 1902, a 2,340-meter lead-sheathed aerial cable with air insulation and 14×2/0.8 mm conductors was put into service between the XVII Military Garrison and the new St. John’s Hospital.
1904
On June 25, 1904, Minister Károly Hieronymi established the “Post and Telegraph Engineering Office” (1904–1908), effective July 1. Its task was to design and carry out the rerouting of underground ducts and cable networks to a new main exchange. This exchange was the first to operate using the CB system and was designed ultimately to accommodate 22,000 subscribers, replacing all previous exchanges. The building was technically completed in 1902, and then the installation of the exchange equipment began.
The precision of engineering work was demonstrated when, between January 5 and April 15, 1904, the 6,300 subscribers of the Budapest network were successfully switched over to the new Teréz Main Exchange.
This period also marked the introduction of cables into distribution networks, using 80 mm internal diameter coupler pipes reinforced with wire mesh. One- and two-pipe distribution networks were installed with prefabricated “cabinets” for cable pulling and splicing.
Construction of the Budapest–Hatvan telegraph cable began, using a lead-sheathed cable with 27×1/1.7 mm conductors and paper-air insulation. It was commissioned on February 15, 1906. Due to wartime shortages of non-ferrous metals, the cable was later dismantled in 1942 for reuse in the Miskolc cable project.
1906
Next to Püspökladány railway station, the Royal Hungarian Post established a wood-preserving plant on a 58,000 m² site, capable of treating 50,000 poles per year. The large area allowed proper drying of the poles before and after treatment. In 1919, occupying Romanian troops dismantled the entire plant. After the Treaty of Trianon reduced Hungary’s territory, rebuilding the plant was deemed uneconomical, so in 1920 it was temporarily, and in 1935 permanently, transferred to the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV).
1908
On April 13, 1908, Minister Ferenc Kossuth issued decree No. 31,088/1908 establishing the Royal Hungarian Post and Telegraph Engineering Inspectorate (1908–1919). Its Section II dealt with “new constructions,” under which the Budapest Telegraph and Telephone Engineering Inspectorate included the Cable Maintenance Group.
The Hungarian Post’s engineering leadership was the first to recognize the need for standardized technical and operational procedures for international telegraph and telephone connections in agreement with foreign administrations. At the initiative of technical director Endre Kolozsvári, an international postal engineering conference was held in Budapest in the autumn of 1908. Numerous valuable technical lectures were given, and international issues were discussed. The negotiations ended with great success: the Ministry of Commerce published the lectures and descriptions of the latest technical equipment of the Hungarian Post in a bilingual book titled “The Latest Technical Equipment of the Royal Hungarian Post and Telegraph” (1908) and sent it to foreign administrations.
This conference was the first international meeting initiated by Hungarian postal engineers and became the precursor to the international advisory committees later established under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Bern (now Geneva):
- CCIT – Comité Consultatif International Télégraphique
- CCIF – Comité Consultatif International Téléphonique
(Merged in 1956 as CCITT, now ITU-T) - CCIR – Comité Consultatif International des Radiocommunications (now ITU-R).
Also in 1908, the multiplex network system was introduced into the distribution cable network. The first multiplex systems using 13×2-wire cables were built in Damjanich Street, Aranykéz Street, and near Kristóf Square.
1910
Construction began on the József Telephone Exchange at 17–19 Mária Terézia Square (now Horváth Mihály Square). The building’s structure was completed by 1912, partial equipment installation by 1914, but the exchange was not finally commissioned until after World War I, in 1917.
1911
In building distribution networks, 80 mm pipes were replaced by 120 mm pipes.
1912
Within the framework of the Post and Telegraph Engineering Office, four cable installers were hired under postal engineer Ákos Tersztyánszky: István Pákai, József Pátkai, Oszkár Radnai, and Dénes Rázmán. They later became master craftsmen and played a key role in training future specialists.
1913
On the morning of April 13, 1913, Budapest’s overhead telephone network suffered catastrophic damage. In the city center, the overhead lines collapsed under the weight of frost and severe cold, leaving about 80% of the network in ruins.
As a result, postal management decided to greatly increase the proportion of underground duct and cable construction to prevent a recurrence.
Evaluating previous underground duct and cable systems, postal engineers compiled the “Technical Instruction for the Design and Construction of Underground Lines of Urban Telephone Networks,” published in 1913.
1917
The József Telephone Exchange was inaugurated, and an international exchange was installed in the building.
1919
On January 1, by decree No. 20,539/1918 of the Minister of Commerce, the Inspectorate became the Budapest Telegraph and Telephone Directorate, which included a Cable Department with two sections: construction and maintenance.
1920
The first six-month postal engineering training course was established, supervised by Chief Technical Director József Vater.
1922
The Cable Department became part of the Technical Division within the Directorate.
The installation of new 624×2/0.6 solid-conductor paper-insulated cables began.
1923
At the end of 1923, a violent snowstorm caused damage to the overhead line network similar to that of 1913. As a result, the Post’s engineering team began designing a new network reconstruction plan.
1924
The reconstruction of the Budapest network began in 1924 and continued for eight years, finishing in 1932. Construction methods were revised, and the network structure was reorganized: the extensive overhead line networks were divided into smaller areas for greater reliability and to allow the integration of new cable materials.
1925
Within the Telephone Directorate, two new sections were created:
- IV/1 Construction Section – responsible mainly for new builds
- IV/2 Maintenance Section – responsible for all cable installation and upkeep.
1926
The Telephone Directorate was dissolved. Cable operations were transferred to the Directorate-General’s 9th Operations Division as VII/1 and VII/2 groups.
A new 624×2 main distribution frame was installed in the Headquarters of the City Command at 1 Veres Pálné Street.
1926–1929 – Construction of the Budapest–Vienna and Budapest–Szeged long-distance cables.
1927
The Budapest–Vienna long-distance cable was inaugurated on August 15, 1927.
1928
The Krisztina automatic exchange was commissioned on April 28, 1928.
1929
The Budapest Telegraph and Telephone Directorate was re-established. Cable-related operations were organized under three groups:
- 5/1 Construction
- 5/2 Installation
- 5/3 Industry
The headquarters was located in Páva Street, District IX, Budapest.
Asbestos-cement ducts and cabinets were introduced.
1932
With the completion of the József Main Exchange and its subsidiary exchanges, the automation of Budapest’s telephone centers was completed.
1933
For low-traffic subscribers, “party lines” (shared service) were introduced in urban areas. These were finally phased out in 1997.
1936
The Post Directorate-General ordered the laying of a riverbed cable between Dunaföldvár and Solt, manufactured by Siemens-Schuckert.
Preparatory work began on October 20–21, including trench marking and setting of marker posts.
The laying operation started on October 23, 1936, when the cable was floated out from an anchored barge and lowered into the Danube riverbed.
By November 12, 1936, the distribution box installation, splicing, and connection were completed.
Total cable length: 1,050 m.
Due to the proliferation of party lines in Budapest, six-digit telephone numbers were introduced.
1938
On September 17, the first rotary 7DU-type automatic telephone exchange was inaugurated in Pápa.
This was a significant modernization step, as rotary switches enabled more efficient automatic switching for growing subscriber numbers.
1939
In Miskolc, an Ericsson-manufactured AGF-type automatic exchange was installed.
In Budapest, the first 7A2-type exchange—the Erzsébet Exchange—was commissioned, marking the start of a new generation of switching technology in the capital.
1940
The Cable Office was established under the supervision of the Budapest Telegraph and Telephone Directorate.
Its headquarters was located at 4–6 Vásárhelyi Pál Street, District XI, Budapest.
Construction departments moved to Bajtárs Street, District IX, while installation teams relocated to Dandár Street, District IX.
1943
The Budapest–Miskolc trunk line was built using carrier-frequency technology over a dual symmetric (A–B) long-distance cable, partially incorporating cables with aluminum conductors due to wartime copper shortages.
The line was completed and put into operation in early 1944.
1947
Following World War II and reconstruction efforts, a central authority was established under the name Post Cable Office (Posta Kábelhivatal).
The installation department moved to a new site on Dandár Street, District IX, Budapest.
1951
The Hungarian Post purchased the concrete element manufacturing plant in Dunakeszi from the Budapest Cement Industry Works (BUCEM). This facility produced concrete elements for network construction and expansion.
Additionally, Postal Network Construction Industrial Enterprises were formed on April 1, based on a decision of the National Economic Council, with headquarters in Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, Pécs, Sopron, and Szeged.
1952
The Post Cable Construction Industrial Enterprise (Posta Kábelépítő Üzemi Vállalat) was established on January 1, 1952, to consolidate cable installation and construction operations.
1953
The Post Overhead Line and Cable Construction Enterprise (POLÉKÁV) was created (operating from January 1, 1953, to October 1, 1954).
Head office: Benczúr Street, later Váci Street, Budapest.
1954
The Technical Network Construction Division was established on October 1.
On February 20, the only rural 7A2-type automatic telephone exchange outside Budapest was commissioned in Miskolc (most rural towns used the 7DU system).
On October 1, based on directive No. 113-11/1954, the Post Central Cable Plant (Posta Központi Kábelüzem – PKK) was established.
Locations:
- Headquarters: Guszev Street 24, Budapest V (1957–1972)
- Construction: Bajtárs Street 1–3, Budapest IX (until 1972)
- Installation: Dandár Street 9–13, Budapest IX (until 1972)
- Concrete element factory: Dunakeszi, Rév Street 29
- Horse stables (for transportation): Hungária Boulevard
Cable Plant Directors:
- Jenő Földvári (1953)
- Lajos Dedek (1953–1954)
- Nándor Gazsi (1956)
- Gyula Koczina (…–1968)
- László Csáki (1968–1977)
- János Szöllősi (1977–1985)
- Róbert Szirbek (1985–1986)
1955
Production of new-type concrete duct elements (types II, III, IV with 100 and 125 mm openings) began at the Dunakeszi plant—initially by hand.
1957
The Hungarian Post terminated the operation of Morse telegraph systems, signaling the complete end of traditional Morse telegraphy in Hungary.
1960
Half of the cable installation workforce was transferred from Villamos Állomásszerelő Vállalat (VÁV) to the Post, while the other half went to the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV).
At the Dunakeszi concrete plant, Prinzing and Rimas machines were introduced for mechanized production of duct elements.
1962
On August 8, the 7A2-type Ferenc Telephone Exchange was put into service in Budapest, further expanding the automatic switching network.
1964
- The MN 6050 military unit was engaged by the Post for network construction purposes.
- Construction of the last XVIII-type concrete block duct network was completed on Kiscelli Street in Budapest.
- The Construction Division was reorganized into a Chief Engineering Office to handle increasing technical responsibilities.
1969
- Construction began on the Budapest–Győr four-duct coaxial trunk cable network, featuring new mini-coaxial (kiskoaxiális) technology.
- On December 19, a T-6 mini-coaxial river cable was laid across the Danube bed in Budapest near the Petőfi Bridge (between Bertalan and Gálya streets) for the Budapest–Vienna cable route.
- Maintenance duties were removed from the Post Central Cable Plant (PKK), leading to the formation of a Cable Maintenance Enterprise (Kábelfenntartó Üzem – KFÜ).
1971
- Experimental construction of plastic duct-based distribution networks began, marking the transition from concrete to lighter, easier-to-install plastic systems.
1972
- Technology shift: Full transition from concrete ducts to plastic duct systems for underground infrastructure.
- A significant milestone: During remodeling near the Deák Square Evangelical Church, linked to the above-ground section of the M2 metro line station, the first large PVC/T block-duct system was built:
- Structure: 48 ducts (90/2 mm PVC pipes) arranged in 8 horizontal rows × 6 vertical layers
- Length: 33.7 m between two manholes
- Depth: 2 m, with a 10 cm concrete base slab, sand bedding, ducts in comb formation, and a 10 cm reinforced concrete cover slab
- Trench width: 120 cm, shored with steel plates and supported by screw braces
- Design: POTI
- Construction: Post Central Cable Plant (PKK)
- A major reorganization occurred:
- PKK moved to a new central site at 4 Fogadó Street, District X, Budapest, housing construction, installation, and the central organization in one location.
1975
- Production and installation of the first petroleum jelly (vaseline)-filled cables began in Hungary.
- These cables provided longitudinal water-blocking, solving the problem of moisture spreading along polyethylene-insulated cables.
- To counteract the increase in dielectric constant caused by vaseline, foam polyethylene insulation was introduced instead of solid PE insulation.
- Structural change: Instead of earlier ring-type cable constructions, new stranded (pászmás) designs were adopted.
1976
- New distribution cabinets were introduced, marked as types “B” and “C.”
1978
- The Post Central Cable Plant (PKK) launched an internal quarterly newsletter titled “Kábelüzemi Híradó”, covering technical news and operational updates.
- For trunk network expansion between major exchanges, PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) technology was introduced, significantly increasing channel capacity.
1979
- The first remote container exchange (konténerközpont) was installed in Kőbánya-Újhegy.
- Its parent exchange was the Teréz ARF 102-type center.
1980
- New reinforced cable manholes for pedestrian and roadway load were introduced, marked as A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 types.
- New reinforced distribution cabinets for pedestrian load were introduced: Sz1, Sz2, Sz3, and Sz4 types.
- In the main duct network, the concept of “base length” was introduced:
- Defined as 1/8 of a 1,830 m cable drum (≈228.75 m).
- Based on this, every second manhole was spaced at 210–215 m, considering duct geometry and cable manufacturing lengths.
- Large cable unit length standardized at 240 m.
1981
- Presidential Council Act No. 15/1981 allowed the creation of “Economic Work Communities” (GMKs), effective January 1, 1982.
- Later, company-based GMKs (VGMKs) became possible in 1987.
- PKK began employing GMK subcontractors for cable work.
1983
- The ODÁR I system project started between the Belváros and József Exchanges.
- Contract signed with French Thomson group companies (LTT and CIT Alcatel).
- A 2.205 km interconnecting cable was installed, followed by PCM equipment with 480 channels.
- Installation of LPE (Low-density Polyethylene) inner liners in ducts began, paving the way for fiber optic cable installation in the future.
- Publication of the book: “70 Years of the Cable Plant”.
1984
- Launch of the ODÁR II project between the József and Ferenc Exchanges.
- Contracted with Ericsson, completed faster than ODÁR I.
- A 5.862 km inter-exchange cable was laid, and a 480-channel PCM system was commissioned in 1986.
1985
- Construction of the first Hungarian fiber optic cable section:
- Route: Tata–Almásfüzitő–Komárom
- Cable: 12-fiber multimode, armored, directly buried.
1986
- Merger of three entities:
- Post Central Cable Plant
- Post High-Rise Construction Plant
- Budapest Network Construction Plant
→ Created Post Construction Plant (Posta Építési Üzem – PÉÜ) on January 1, 1986.
- Director: Róbert Szirbek
- March 24: Commissioning of the new Városmajor Telephone Exchange.
1988
- The Act VI of 1988 on Business Associations was passed, enabling the creation of various company forms (BT, Kft, Rt), paving the way for future privatization and restructuring in telecommunications.
1989
- On December 29, 1989, the Post Construction Plant (PÉÜ) was reorganized into a new company:
First Hungarian Telephone Cable Ltd. (Első Magyar Telefonkábel Kft., EMTEL Kft.)- Operating period: 1989.12.29 – 1997.11.01
- Directors:
- Róbert Szirbek (1990–1993)
- Attila Csapó (1993–1997)
- Lóránt Száray (1997–)
- February 27, 1989: In Szombathely, the first stored program-controlled (SPC) electronic telephone exchange was commissioned:
- Type: ADS (Austrian Digital Switching System)
- Supplier: Austria Telecommunication GmbH
- March 7, 1989: At the International Long-Distance Center, an Ericsson AXE-10 (Automatic Cross-Connection Equipment) exchange was installed for international calls.
- September 2, 1989: Budapest telephone numbers changed to 7 digits.
- September 21, 1989: At the Domestic Long-Distance Center, another ADS-type exchange was commissioned.
1990
- January 1, 1990: Hungarian Post was split into three independent companies:
- Magyar Távközlési Vállalat (MATÁV) – telecommunications
- Magyar Műsorszóró Vállalat (Antenna Hungária) – broadcasting
- Magyar Posta Vállalat – postal services
- 1990 also marked the last year when the MN 6050 military unit was used for network construction.
- Launch of mobile service:
- Westel Rádiótelefon Kft. started operations with an NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone) analog network in the 450 MHz band.
1991
- On December 31, 1991, MATÁV Magyar Távközlési Rt. was established as the legal successor to the previously independent telecommunications company formed in 1990.
- Until the end of 1993, MATÁV remained 100% state-owned.
- A new office building was inaugurated at EMTEL Kft.’s Fogadó Street headquarters.
1993
- July 1, 1993: The Telecommunications Act (Act LXXII of 1992) came into effect.
- This law enabled the privatization of MATÁV and the launch of concessions for regional telecom services.
- December 22, 1993: A privatization contract was signed:
- The MagyarCom consortium (Deutsche Telekom + Ameritech International) purchased:
- Nationwide telephone concession rights
- 30.1% of MATÁV’s increased share capital
- Purchase price: USD 875 million
- The MagyarCom consortium (Deutsche Telekom + Ameritech International) purchased:
- Budapest: Installation of the first Siemens EWSD (Elektronisch Wahl-System Digital) electronic exchange at the István Center.
1994
- Results of regional telecom concession tenders were announced:
- 12 regional telephone companies were formed:
- Déltáv, EmiTel, Monortel, Jász-Tel, HUGAROTEL, DUNATEL, Kelet-Nógrád-Com, Pápatel, Rába-Com, Egom-Com, Kisduna-Com, BakonyTel.
- 12 regional telephone companies were formed:
- In Budapest, the new Erzsébet Exchange was built and equipped with Siemens EWSD systems.
- Two new GSM providers launched on the 900 MHz band:
- Pannon GSM Távközlési Rt.
- Westel 900 GSM Mobil Távközlési Rt.
1995
- To meet growing demand for telephone lines, PCM2, PCM4, and PCM11 systems were introduced, expanding capacity quickly and economically.
1996
- Internet services began operating in Hungary, marking the start of commercial Internet access for the public.
1997
- MATÁVline Távközlési Hálózatépítő és Szerelő Kft. was formed:
- Operating period: 1997.11.01 – 2000.11.27
- Directors: Lóránt Száray and Péter Gencsy
- Completion of the Erzsébet Exchange transfer to the new building.
1998
- Shutdown of party line (twin station) service in the Zugló Exchange area.
1999
- January 13: The last rotary exchange in Hungary (at the József Exchange) was dismantled.
- Vodafone entered the Hungarian market with its GSM/DCS 1800 system operating in the 1800 MHz band.
2000
- Formation of TELARIS Kft. (TELARIS Távközlési Hálózattervező, Építő és Szerelő Kft.)
- Operating period: 2000.11.27 – 2002.03.14
- Directors: János Bakos and Sándor Jánoskuti
- Relocation of the Teréz Exchange’s main distribution frame from the ground floor to the first floor, introducing a new multi-level cable frame structure.
2002
- June 5, 2002: The last public telex exchange in Hungary was ceremonially shut down, marking the end of the telex era.
- TELARIS Kft. entered liquidation on March 14, 2002, ending its short-lived role in network construction and design.
- Significant modernization projects continued, including:
- Relocation of the Teréz Exchange’s main distribution frame from the ground floor to the first floor, implementing a multi-level cable frame system.
2005
- December 19, 2005: The last analog telephone exchange in Hungary (located in Miskolc) was officially switched off.
This event marked the complete digitalization of the Hungarian fixed-line telephone network, closing the chapter on analog switching technology after more than a century of evolution.