Phone Co-op
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| Type | Consumers' cooperative |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire |
| Area served | United Kingdom |
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Products | Telephone, Internet |
| Revenue | £5 million |
| Operating income | £150,000 |
| Net income | £100,000 2 |
| Employees | 40 |
| Website | www.phone.coop |
| 1. Figures rounded from 2005 Annual Report 2. UK cooperative taxation means that after tax surplus is also after distributions | |
The Phone Co-op is a British telecommunications co-operative, which operates under self-imposed environmental and ethical guidelines. It provides telephone and internet services, including web hosting and broadband to private customers, charities and other co-operatives. The Phone Co-op's service has been taken up by some 12,000 customers, including Christian Aid, Amnesty International, Triodos Bank, the Centre for Alternative Technology, Leeds Co-operative Society, Manchester City Council and UNISON.
[edit] History
The Phone Co-op was founded in 1998 as SETCO (Social Economy Telecommunications Co-operative), incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. Initially, membership of the Co-operative was reserved solely for other co-ops and charities. A rule change opened membership to the general public and in August 1999, SETCO renamed itself the Phone Co-op and converted into a co-operative society incorporated under the Industrial & Provident Societies Act.
