Startec Global Communications
Startec Global Communications is a US-based international long-distance voice carrier, founded 1989 and now a Lingo Communications subsidiary, providing prepaid, dial-around, and direct-dial long-distance and virtual number services to ethnic diaspora customers calling the Pacific Rim, Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Central Europe, and the Americas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersGreenwood Village, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Startec Global Communications does
Startec Global Communications is a US-headquartered international long-distance carrier founded in 1989, now operating as a subsidiary within Lingo Communications (formerly Impact Telecom). The company provides voice telecommunications services targeted at ethnic and diaspora communities calling internationally, with product lines spanning consumer CellConnect and CellConnect Prepaid mobile long-distance, Direct Dial Long Distance, the 10-10-719 dial-around access code, and the MyCountry Number virtual overseas number service. Coverage reaches the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Central Europe, and the Americas, supported by owned infrastructure including international and IP gateways, domestic switches, and ownership interests in undersea fiber optic cables; the network carries billions of minutes per month.
Startec Global Communications firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Startec Global Communications
- Legal name
- Vancouver Telephone Company, Ltd.
- Website
- https://startec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Startec Global Communications is a US-based international long-distance voice carrier, founded 1989 and now a Lingo Communications subsidiary, providing prepaid, dial-around, and direct-dial long-distance and virtual number services to ethnic diaspora customers calling the Pacific Rim, Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Central Europe, and the Americas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Startec Global Communications industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Telecommunications Services
- NAICS
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) (HDAIABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP) (HDAIAFAG)
Keywords
Where Startec Global Communications is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Greenwood Village
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Startec Global Communications business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct Dial Long Distance Service: Monthly subscription service where customers pay per-minute rates for international long distance calls. Customers authorize Startec as their preferred long distance carrier. Includes CellConnect at no additional cost.
- CellConnect Prepaid: Prepaid international calling service where customers purchase credit in advance ($10, $25, $50, or $100 amounts). Control spending by prepaying only for planned usage.
- 10-10-719 Dial-Around Service: Pay-per-call dial-around service accessed by dialing 10-10-719 prefix. Customers pay per-call connection fee plus per-minute rates. No subscription required for basic service.
- MyCountry Number: Monthly subscription for international incoming call routing. Customers pay fixed monthly fee for unlimited incoming calls from their home country via a local number.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Direct Dial Long Distance - No monthly fee plans available |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | CellConnect Prepaid |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | 10-10-719 Dial-Around Service |
| Subscription | Monthly | MyCountry Number - Iran |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Startec Global Communications product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Startec Global Communications provides international long distance telecommunications services, including PIN-less cellular international calling (CellConnect), prepaid calling (CellConnect Prepaid), direct dial home phone long distance, dial-around access (10-10-719), and local in-country virtual numbers (MyCountry Number). The company operates its own network infrastructure including IP gateways, international gateways, domestic switches, and undersea fiber optic cable ownership, serving ethnic communities and families connecting with contacts abroad across the Pacific Rim, Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Central Europe, and the Americas.
Product overview
Startec Global Communications offers a portfolio of international long distance and telecommunications services targeting ethnic communities worldwide. The core product lineup consists of CellConnect (cell phone-based international calling with PIN-less dialing), CellConnect Prepaid (prepaid variant), Direct Dial Long Distance (home phone-based service), and 10-10-719 dial-around service. Add-on services include MyCountry Number (local in-country phone numbers for international callers). All services are managed through the MyAccount online platform for viewing bills, call details, and account management. The company operates under the Impact Telecom/Impact Connect brand family and provides services spanning the Pacific Rim, Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Central Europe, and the Americas. Note: The company has undergone mergers (Matrix Telecom and Americatel) and current US operations are limited to existing customers only, with no new sign-ups.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CellConnect: International calling service from cell phone or any phone with PIN-less dialing, speed dialing, and convenience features.
- CellConnect Prepaid
- Direct Dial Long Distance
- 10-10-719
- MyCountry Number
Products and services
- CellConnect Service International calling service allowing users to make calls from their cell phone or any other phone without PINs. Users can register up to 4 phone numbers for PIN-less dialing and access low international rates.
- CellConnect Prepaid Prepaid version of CellConnect allowing users to prepay for international calls in set amounts ($10, $25, $50, or $100), controlling spending in advance. Users can register up to 4 phone numbers for PIN-less dialing, with optional auto-recharge when balance drops below $5.
- Direct Dial Long Distance Long distance service providing Startec's low rates when dialing directly from a home phone with no PINs or access numbers required. Includes CellConnect service for free.
- 10-10-719 Long Distance Dial-around long distance service accessed by dialing 10-10-719 before placing calls from any home phone. No signup or registration required; customers pay a per-call connection fee plus per-minute rates.
- MyCountry Number Service assigning customers a local phone number in their home country (currently available for Iran/Tehran at $14.99/month) that rings to their US phone, allowing family and friends abroad to call at local in-country rates.
Quantifiable outcome
- Rates as low as 1¢ per minute for international calls from US
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Startec Global Communications
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Startec Global Communications technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Startec Global Communications partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Matrix Telecom, Inc.majorMatrix Telecom, Inc. merged with Americatel Corporation, the current provider of Startec's services. Following the merger, Matrix provides long distance services under the Startec brand name. The anticipated date of merger was on or after January 1, 2015, subject to regulatory approvals. No service changes or additional costs were anticipated for customers.
- Americatel CorporationmajorAmericatel Corporation was the current provider of Startec's services. It merged with Matrix Telecom, Inc. and became part of the combined entity providing services under the Startec brand. The merger was expected to strengthen service quality for customers.
- Vancouver Telephone Company, Ltd. (VTC)coreVTC is the operating company providing residential and small business services under Startec and related brand names. VTC operates the telecommunications network infrastructure including VoIP, direct dial, and dial-around services. Services are provided through owned and leased facilities, operating and termination agreements, and resale arrangements.
- Impact Telecom / Lingo CommunicationscoreImpact Telecom (operating as Lingo Communications) is the parent company providing Startec services through its family of brands. Impact Telecom is a full-service telecommunications company providing flexible and effective solutions to carriers, businesses, and homes. The company operates the network infrastructure and provides billing, customer service, and operational support for Startec brands.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Startec Global Communications competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IDT Corporation: IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT) operates Boss Revolution and Net2Phone, both directly comparable international calling and money-transfer services targeting ethnic diaspora communities in the US. Highly aligned in customer base, product mix, and business model.
- Rebtel: Rebtel is an international calling app focused on diaspora and migrant communities with cheap cross-border calling. It competes head-to-head with Startec's CellConnect and Direct Dial products for the same ethnic consumer segment.
- Talk Home (by Lebara spin-out): Talk Home offers low-cost international calling and mobile SIMs targeted at diaspora communities. Direct overlap with Startec on ethnic consumer calling, particularly in North America and the UK.
- Lebara: Lebara is an MVNO and international calling brand serving migrant communities in Europe and Australia with prepaid international minutes. Same ethnic-diaspora focus, similar prepaid/long-distance product set.
- PennyTalk (by 1Global): PennyTalk is a prepaid international calling service using dial-around and PIN-based access — almost identical product mechanics to Startec's 10-10-719 and CellConnect services.
Others
- WhatsApp (Meta): WhatsApp is the primary disruptive force against international voice carriers — providing free voice/video over data. Not a direct competitor in paid minutes but defines the secular headwind facing Startec.
- Lingo Communications: Lingo Communications is the parent company operating Startec, Impact Telecom, Matrix, Americatel and other legacy brands. It is not a peer in the market sense but is the relevant corporate umbrella when assessing Startec's strategic direction and capital allocation.
Broad incumbents
- Lyca Mobile: Lyca Mobile is a larger ethnic-focused MVNO operating globally with international calling bundles. It is a broader incumbent than Startec — combining mobile service with international minutes — but targets the same immigrant customer base.
- Skype (Microsoft): Skype offers international calling via app and dial-around. A broad incumbent in the same international-calling category that has historically displaced carriers like Startec with software-based alternatives.
- Google Voice: Google Voice provides low-cost or free US/international calling as part of a broader communications suite. Not ethnically focused but competes for the same international-calling use case at a much lower effective price point.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Startec Global Communications social profiles
Digital presenceStartec Global Communications financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Startec Global Communications leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Startec Global Communications funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Startec Global Communications M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A6 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Startec Global Communications
What does Startec Global Communications do?
Startec Global Communications provides international long distance telecommunications services, including PIN-less cellular international calling (CellConnect), prepaid calling (CellConnect Prepaid), direct dial home phone long distance, dial-around access (10-10-719), and local in-country virtual numbers (MyCountry Number). The company operates its own network infrastructure including IP gateways, international gateways, domestic switches, and undersea fiber optic cable ownership, serving ethnic communities and families connecting with contacts abroad across the Pacific Rim, Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Central Europe, and the Americas.
Is Startec Global Communications a public or private company?
Startec Global Communications is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Startec Global Communications founded?
Startec Global Communications was founded in 1989. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Startec Global Communications based?
Startec Global Communications is headquartered in Greenwood Village, United States, in the North America region.
How does Startec Global Communications make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Dial Long Distance Service is the primary driver. The others are cellConnect Prepaid, 10-10-719 Dial-Around Service and myCountry Number.
Who are Startec Global Communications's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IDT Corporation, Rebtel, Talk Home (by Lebara spin-out), Lebara and PennyTalk (by 1Global). Others are WhatsApp (Meta) and Lingo Communications. Broad incumbents are Lyca Mobile, Skype (Microsoft) and Google Voice.
Does Startec Global Communications have an API?
No public API is recorded for Startec Global Communications.
What industry is Startec Global Communications in?
Startec Global Communications's product category is International Telecommunications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIABAB, Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), with a secondary code of HDAIAFAG, Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP). Its NAICS code is 51711 and its SIC code is 4813.