Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd (later STC plc) was a British telephone, telegraph, radio, telecommunications and related equipment R&D manufacturer. During its history STC invented and developed several groundbreaking new technologies including PCM and optical fibres.The company began life in London as International Western Electric in 1883. The company was owned from 1925 to mid 1982 by ITT of the USA. The company was then listed on the London Stock Exchange and at one time was a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but it was bought by Nortel in 1991.