Carte Telecom


 * For the European operator, see Telecarte Europe

Carte Telecom plc (LSE: CTEL) is the largest provider of both local and long distance telephone services, wireless services, and DSL internet access in Europe with 67.3 million customers. In 2007, Carte Telecom (at the time Telecarte Europe) merged with Regal Media to become Carte Regal Media. The company also owns and operates thirteen smaller companies, under the Exchange name.

Founding and Expansion
Carte Telecom was founded in 1881 as British Exchange, head quartered in Wiltshire, later on, the smaller regional companies were introduced, Plymouth Exchange, Bristol Exchange, Southampton Exchange, Exeter Exchange, and Chippenham Exchange. However in 1987, Telecarte European bought British Exchange, and it's contents.

In the late 1930s, because of antitrust laws, Telecarte was forced to merge its services under one name, as to avoid any monopoly, but these services were broken up again in 1973, breaking up into seven Exchanges, and then adding four more in 1978.

ExchangeSouth acquisition
In 2006, Ofcom approved the acquisition of ExchangeSouth valued at approximately £22 million. The new combined company retained the name Telecarte. The deal consolidated ownership of both UKconnect and DirectoryONE. All services, including wireless, are currewntly offered under the Carte name.

Transition to new media
New management discuseed how wireless services are the core of "The New Carte". With declining sales of traditional home phone lines, Carte plans to roll out various new media such as Video-Live, Oneworld, and to expend its reach in High Speed Internet into rural areas across the country.

Exchange Operating Companies
Of the the twenty-five Exchange Operating Companies which Telecarte owned prior to the 1973 breakup, elven have continued under the umbrella of the new Carte Telecom with the completion of their acquisition of ExchangeSouth Corporation in 2007.


 * ExchangeSouth Telecommunications (formerly known as Southern Exchange and South Central Exchange)
 * Chippenham Exchange
 * Plymouth Exchange
 * Southampton Exchange
 * Bristol Exchange
 * Exeter Exchange
 * Oxford Exchange
 * Northampton Exchange
 * Swindon Exchange
 * Cambridge Exchange
 * Exmoor Exchange

Voice
Carte provices several differenyt types of land line services - standard POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) service as well as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and optical fibre line services. In addition, Carte offers long distance services. Carte also offers a product that is a joint venture with Microsoft called "Carte Web Calling", (operated by Verizon in America) a form of VoIP services used within Windows Live Messenger

Voicemail
Carte provides Carte Voice Messaging - voicemail service for residences and businesses, available without a Carte Telecom contract.

Wireless

 * For Carte's wireless division, see Carte Wireless.

Cloudtalk
Cloudtalk is a Voice over IP (VoIP) service that offers phone service over a broadband Internet connection. A DSL, cable, or Carte FiOS Internet connection, a regular telephone, a router, and a telephone adaptop are required for service.

ONEworld
Carte ONEworld (previously known as Exchange 1Plan) is a bundle package that offers many of Carte Telecom's services, but at reduced rates.

Video
Carte launched its FiOS Video service in Chippenham on January 15, 2008. FiOS TV uses an optical fibre network to deliver more than 400 total channels, more than 180 digital video and music channels, more than 20 high-definition channels, and 300 video-on-demand titles through the flux service.

Data
Carte provides DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet service in many areas where it offers phone service. Additionally, they have recently began offering FTTH (Fibre to the Home) to some subscribers. The system is called "FiOS" (Fibre Optic Service)

Directory operations
The Yellow Pages directory business is known as CartePages, and is under operations of Carte Advertising & Publishing in Cheshire. It has a circulation of approximately 30 million copies.

Corporate headquaters move
In June 2008, Carte announced that is would move its corporate headquarters from Cheshire to Wiltshire to gain better access to its customers and operations throughout the world, and to the key technology partners, suppliers, innovation and human resources needed as it continues to grow, domestically and internationally.

Before hand, Chippenham, Wiltshire, was already the headquarters for Carte Wireless. Cambridge continues to be the headquaters for the company's Global Business Services and Carte Labs & Research. Cheshire continues as home for Directory operations, Carte Advertising & Publushing aswell as Carte411.

Places/events/partners with Carte name

 * Carte Telecom Business Suite - Chippenham, Wilsthire (at the Angel Hotel, on the same street as Carte)
 * Carte Telecom Centre - Chippenham, Wiltshire
 * Carte Telecom Chippenham Town FC Stadium - Chippenham, Wiltshire
 * Carte Wireless BMW Sauber F1 Team