Telecomunicações de Santa Catarina (Telesc): between national objectives and regional demands (1973-1997)

Abstract

The objective of this article is to discuss the trajectory of Telecomunicações de Santa Catarina (Telesc) between 1973 and 1997, highlighting financial, productive and political aspects, according to the objectives outlined by Telecomunicações Brasileiras Sociedade Anônima (Telebras) and the regional demands imposed by the dynamics of Santa Catarina’s economy. The article is divided into four topics. First, a brief theoretical introduction on the role of state-owned companies in contemporary economies in the formation of state monopoly capitalism is presented. The second section deals with the centralization of telecommunications in Brazil considering the constitution of the national telecommunications system and the performance of Telebras. The text goes on to provide a brief contextualization of telephony in Santa Catarina before the federalization of services, in 1973. The fourth section is dedicated to the Telesc narrative and its dynamics in the economy and society of Santa Catarina. Finally, a brief summary of the general movement of telephony during the existence of Telesc is presented.