Freshtel
{{Multiple issues|{{more citations needed|date=February 2009}}
{{Update|date=March 2024}}}}{{Short description|Australian telephony company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox company|
| name = Freshtel Holdings Limited
| type = Public ({{asx|FRE}})
| foundation = January 2004
| location = Melbourne, Victoria
| key_people = Rhonda O'Donnell, CEO
Kenneth V Loughnan, Chairman
| industry = Telecommunications
| products = Voice over Internet Protocol service, software and hardware
| num_employees = 30 (2009){{Cite web|title=Freshtel Holdings Limited Annual Report 2009|url=http://www.freshtelholdings.com/asset/reference/AnnualReport2009|publisher=Freshtel Holdings Limited|accessdate=11 August 2010}}
| homepage = {{URL|freshtel.net}}
}}
Freshtel Holdings Limited is an Australian telephony company developing and marketing Voice over IP products and services. Freshtel Holdings Limited offers VoIP solutions to wholesale customers globally through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Voicedot and Virbiage, and has a direct-to-market retail channel through Freshtel Pty Ltd.
In December 2005 Freshtel signed an agreement with Tesco to provide a white label Internet telephony solution for the UK market.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4627250.stm|title=Tesco launches net call service |date=19 January 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=10 February 2009}} In late December 2005 Tesco acquired a 6% stake in Freshtel,{{Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/UK-Tesco-to-take-stake-in-Freshtel/2005/12/29/1135732686987.html|title=UK Tesco to take stake in Freshtel|date=29 December 2005|agency=Australian Associated Press|accessdate=10 February 2009}} increased to 12% in November 2006.{{Cite web|url=http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,20802038-15316,00.html|title=Freshtel finds every little helps|last=Jenkins |first=Chris |date=22 November 2006|publisher=Australian IT|accessdate=10 February 2009}}
Due to significant losses on its UK activity (including transfer costs), which contributed over 70% of revenue, Freshtel announced in February 2010 that an agreement had been reached with Tesco to terminate the VOIP services it had provided.{{Cite web|title=Freshtel Restructures Business and Upgrades VoIP Platform|url=http://www.freshtelholdings.com/asset/reference/FreshtelRestructure0210|publisher=Freshtel Holdings Limited|accessdate=9 August 2010|archive-date=19 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219002259/http://www.freshtelholdings.com/asset/reference/FreshtelRestructure0210|url-status=dead}} In May 2010 Freshtel announced that it had sold its UK operation for $150,000.{{Cite web|title=Freshtel Business Update|url=http://www.freshtelholdings.com/asset/reference/FreshtelBusinessUpdate110510|publisher=Freshtel Holdings Limited|accessdate=9 August 2010|date=11 May 2010}}
Structure
The Freshtel Holdings business is structured into three separate channels and an internal research and development arm. Each channel has its own brand and performs a different business function.
Virbiage is a manufacturer and distributor of VoIP hardware such as Internet telephones and analogue telephone adaptors. Virbiage retails these products through its own web site and through distribution agreements with international partners.
Voicedot Networks (formerly VoiceStream Networks) runs the Internet telephone network used to route data for Freshtel's customers. Voicedot provides a wholesale version of the Freshtel Australia retail offering.
Both of these companies supply services to Freshtel Pty Ltd, the retail provider of these services.
Freshtel R&D undertakes all of Freshtel's product research and development. Freshtel R&D is currently part of the Australian Government R&D initiative{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}.