Truphone acquires Startel Communications

Truphone has announced the acquisition of Startel, a specialised mobile and fixed line telecommunications provider to Australian businesses and consumers. The acquisition demonstrates Truphone’s commitment to establishing operations in Australia and the global expansion of its Truphone Local Anywhere service.

The acquisition of Startel provides Truphone with a large distribution network and an established sales team as the company prepares for the launch of Truphone Local Anywhere service in Australia mid 2010. In addition, the acquisition will provide Truphone with a call centre in Manila, providing customer support and telesales capability for both Australia and Asia Pacific.

Truphone Local Anywhere, which launched in January 2010 for the UK and the US, makes it easier and more convenient for the international community to stay in touch while providing cost savings of up to 90% on standard international rates.

The service provides consumers with local numbers and access to local rates for calls, texts and data in all countries where Truphone has operations, on a single SIM card. For those countries where Truphone does not have operator agreements, Truphone Local Anywhere offers savings of up to 70% over normal roaming charges.

Truphone Local Anywhere is currently available in the UK and the USA, and as a result of the partnership with Startel Communications and a wholesale agreement with leading Australian operators Optus (see ‘Truphone and Optus enter strategic wholesale agreement’ 3rd March 2010) will be providing local numbers and rates in Australia mid 2010. The service will continue to rapidly roll out to key business & leisure destinations such as Hong Kong, Spain and South Africa. Elsewhere, Truphone Local Anywhere will provide highly competitive roaming rates (in more than 220 countries).

Truphone Local Anywhere is a single-SIM, multi-country mobile service. Users can make and receive calls via a local number and at a local price, in any Truphone country.