Background and History of FleXtel

Pioneering

FleXtel Limited is the UK's leading provider of personal numbers. It was formed in 1992 by a team of management professionals, some of whom helped found and launch the Vodafone Mobile service. FleXtel was licenced by the DTI in mid-1993, under section 7 of the 1984 Telecommunications Act, to provide telecommunications services. As a result, FleXtel launched the UK's first Personal Telephone Number Service in December 1993 and has since built a powerful and quality service track record.

The UK telecom regulator, Oftel (superceded by Ofcom in Janary 2004), reserved the whole of the 070 dialling code range exclusively for Personal Numbers, and so eliminated any confusion between Personal Numbers and expensive Premium Rate numbers, as well as ensuring adequate number availability for the future. This move was fully supported by FleXtel and, in June 1995, FleXtel were at the forefront once again - by launching the first Personal Numbers in the specially designated 070 range. We then successfully migrated our customer base from the old 09567 mobile range (now 079567) to the 070 number range. Over the intervening years FleXtel expanded its service proposition to deploy 0844 Numbers, 0845 Numbers, 0870 Numbers and 0871 Numbers.

Privacy & Personal Security

Although 070 Numbers have always had an important role in protection of mobile numbers and home location, 08xx numbers, once primarily for business use, are now increasingly being used by consumers to safeguard both their home phone numbers and hence location. This can help reduce the risk of identity theft and unsolicited home phone calls.

Ethics

FleXtel is an ethical company and wishes to deliver fair value, not only to its customers, but also to those consumers calling FleXtel services. FleXtel has an excellent record of working closely with both Oftel and Ofcom to ensure compliance with the latest telecom regulations.

Ofcom and Misguided Regulation

As a result of its long track record of quality service, FleXtel is uniquely positioned to raise the profile of the impact of Ofcom's interventions on SME, SoHO and personal consumers of terminating call services. Over the last few years FleXtel has been heavily engaged with Ofcom, as it strongly disagrees with its media driven, tactical regulatory approach.

Call Price Labelling

Since 2004, we have worked hard to convince Ofcom to take a more strategic approach and stop dealing with the symptoms of market failure. Since 2003, Ofcom has created a plethora of complex microregulations, which are simply sticking-plaster solutions to an underlying cause. Unlike other retail markets, Telecom consumers have never enjoyed clear accurate pricing, available at the time of purchase. For calls this means prices should be to hand just before dialling.

So we've asked Ofcom to cure the patient by treating this underlying cause and consider how best to deliver adequate price transparency. Why? because it will encourage fair competition in the call origination market and this will not only help consumers, it will help all telecom competitors, including FleXtel.

We've offered our solution. It delivers pricing available at the time of call purchase i.e. just before dialling. Our proposal is compatible with all telecoms systems and delivers universal and free call price labelling. So consumers can easily check a call price just before calling. This will drive down prices, towards cost. So retail and therefore wholesale rates will be pressed down.

Unsurprisingly our idea is being resisted by the BT and other big telcos. They say it is too complex for their tariff and reseller agreements. We say, nonsense! Just simplify your tricky tariffs and bamboozling reseller deals and the problem evaporates!

UK Consumer Campaigns

Without good pricing information, then we can all expect more treatment of the symptoms occurring in the UK and the EU. Examples of this are well-meaning, but misguided campaigns such as Terminate-the-Rate and Saynoto0870.

These superficially attractive and seductive campaigns only serve to damage competition. They simply move the problem elsewhere e.g. higher mobile prices or, as in the USA, paying for incoming calls to mobiles. So, if you think email spam is bad, just wait until you're paying for incoming calls and your caller pay next to nothing! These campaigns have the right overall intention and we support that, but balance and rigour is what's needed if consumers are to win a long term benefit.

EU European Commission

Even the EU, encouraged by populist ideals are attacking outrageous mobile call prices and roaming charges by tinkering with the beguiling, but corrupting, concept of price caps, instead of looking at consumer empowerment as the way forward.

FleXtel is also pressing Ofcom and the EU Commission to raise the quality of its impact and risk assessments on both consumers and small business which remains poor. To find out more see "Working with Ofcom" page.

Internet shopping and Intelligent Numbers

FleXtel was the first company in the UK to provide full online Personal Number selection and delivery via the Internet. It now delivers almost 100% of its service in this highly secure and efficient way. Full free of charge control of these Intelligent Numbers was delivered via a power multi-number control console. This is protected by banking level internet security protocol in a secure customer Account.

Empowering

FleXtel offers a set of powerful value-added facilities which complement the service from your existing telephone company. You can reduce costs and have the freedom to choose the best deals available, but all the time being sure of keeping the same telephone number, no matter where you may move within the UK. FleXtel Numbers work in parallel with your existing service, so you can start using FleXtel without fear of losing any calls due to a number change.

Reliable

The stability of FleXtel is very high, as it is a privately funded company with a strong financial position - based on a solid revenue stream, good positive cashflow and zero debt. Without a requirement for external funding there is no need to float on the Stockmarket. FleXtel is therefore in the enviable position of being able to focus on a long-term business strategy, rather than continually worrying about maximising short-term shareholder value. Fully independent, FleXtel is free to select the most cost effective solutions using the latest technology and best quality carriers. Therefore able to deliver user friendly, reliable and high quality services to our growing business to business customer base.

Quality

As part of its ongoing commitment to professional standards, FleXtel is a member of Otelo, an Ombudsman Service for public communication providers and their Customers. We have a published Code of Practice for Complaint Handling, in addition to our Terms and Conditions of Service.

FleXtel - UK owned and operated

FleXtel's European and International Presence

Trademarks

FleXtel gained its UK trademark in 1993. After a successful application in 1998, FleXtel was awarded its full European trademark.

Market Reach

FleXtel markets telecom products and services to its international customers, worldwide, through a number of outlets, including the following websites...

070 Numbers | 0844 Numbers | 0870 Numbers | 0871 Numbers | UK Telephone Numbers