American Consumers Will Desert the Big Three to Save Money on Long Distance Calls
October 11, 1995 -- American consumers will desert the Big Three to save money on long distance calls, Inc. magazine's just-released "Inc. 500" list shows. The two fastest-growing companies in America are long distance resellers, who market discounted calls on major carrier networks. A total of fourteen resellers made this year's list.
Telegroup, number two on the list, is the only reseller that sells both domestic and international phone service. Telegroup grew 25,753 percent since 1990, Inc. says. Telegroup revenues skyrocketed from $5,000 in 1989 to $70 million in 1994. The company projects $130 million for 1995.
"Our phones are ringing off the hook," says Dick DeAngelis, Telegroup's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Customers are comparing costs and switching to smaller firms like Telegroup, because we offer much lower prices 24 hours a day on the very same phone lines."
Telegroup offers discounted rates for U.S. and international calls, 800 service and calling cards. Currently the world's largest callback provider, Telegroup has customers in 142 countries and sales and customer service offices in 30 countries.
Telegroup Chairman Fred Gratzon and President Cliff Rees co-founded the company in 1989. In six years, Telegroup's work force grew to 283 personnel at the Fairfield headquarters and 1,350 sales representatives worldwide.
To compare long distance rates or find out more about Telegroup, people can contact Telegroup's new Internet site at http://www.telegroup.com or call 800-338-0225.
The Inc. 500 is the only national list in the United States that focuses exclusively on privately held entrepreneurial companies. Over 40,000 companies applied to be list members, the Inc. 500 manager said. To be selected for membership in the 1995 Inc. 500, a company must have been independent and privately held through 1994, and must have had at least $200,000 in base year sales.
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