Setting up as a Telecoms Carrier

[Hobbie]

Hi, we're currently reselling telecoms for a well known firm in the industry, we have done this for a number of years and have since developed a substantial customer base.

We now feel instead of merely reselling we'd like to become a registered telecoms company ourselves, instead of relying on our supplier.

We only resell number translation and premium rate services, but our supplier charge is for the numbers, which the numbers are of course free from Ofcom, but the network costs involved for the interconnects and such.

Anyone willing to give advice on this matter, such as the costs involved, Ofcom appear to have nothing on the website in how to gain a licence as a PECS.

Or is it one of those "your not in our club so you can't do it" type of industries?

Thanks in advance.

Hobs

 

[cjd]

Or is it one of those "your not in our club so you can't do it" type of industries?

Yup, that's about it

(But surely you should have worked it out by now?)

 

[Hobbie]

I had worked it out, that's why i thought i'd come here and give is a shot, hopefully someone is willing give the information required, simply where to get the forms from is a start, I have e-mailed ofcom and they replied twice now saying that the PECS application form is only available to PECS providers.

I'm thinking maybe an exisiting provider needs to send the form, but it is absolutely a "not in our club" system.

 

[JamesCartwright]

Well, I cannot help with the industry specific advice, but if you want to set up a company I can tell you how much that will cost (at least if you set it up with the company I work for!). We charge £24.99 to set up a UK limited company, which includes all fees to companies house. We're also part of a firm of chartered accountants, and so can offer other useful business services too.

And about the "not in our club" system, just keep trying and eventually you'll get there yourself!

I wish you the best of success with this!!

James.

 

[Hobbie]

Hi James,

Thanks for your kind offer in assisting me in forming a company, our company was formed back in 1998, as I may have missed out of original post, we have traded for a good number of years reselling telecoms services for an other.

We now wish to cut this middle man out, and go direct, yet Ofcom will not allow ourselves in the club. However we will continue work at this, we are currently seeking telecoms industry advisors.

Thanks again.
Hobs

 

[Premi Text Dave]

Hi Hobs,

You're currently a telecoms dealer from what I understand. If you wish to become a reseller you will need a direct relationship with a UK carrier, and purchase a billing engine to rate your traffic on, which in turn will bill your customers monthly. The industry consists of;

1) Dealers
2) Switchless Resellers (billing engine required)
3) Switched Resellers who maintain their own switch (switch required
4) Carrier level (various tiers)

You will need to register with OFCOM and gain a RID code, which is a telecoms reseller ID code. This will allow you to approach one of the uk carriers and form a relationship. If you need some assistance in getting there give me a shout or drop me a pm, I have plenty of contacts at carrier level that should be able to assist, especially if you have decent levels of existing traffic.

All the best
Dave.

 

[Hobbie]

PT Dave,

Thanks for your input, I will be sending you a private message shortly.

Thank again.

 

[TanAli]

I'm in the process of setting up as a telecoms reseller and would like some advice and guidance if you can spare a couple of minutes. Also any useful contacts would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Tan

Hi Hobs,

You’re currently a telecoms dealer from what I understand. If you wish to become a reseller you will need a direct relationship with a UK carrier, and purchase a billing engine to rate your traffic on, which in turn will bill your customers monthly. The industry consists of;

1) Dealers
2) Switchless Resellers (billing engine required)
3) Switched Resellers who maintain their own switch (switch required
4) Carrier level (various tiers)

You will need to register with OFCOM and gain a RID code, which is a telecoms reseller ID code. This will allow you to approach one of the uk carriers and form a relationship. If you need some assistance in getting there give me a shout or drop me a pm, I have plenty of contacts at carrier level that should be able to assist, especially if you have decent levels of existing traffic.

All the best
Dave.