Company history

Formation of telegate AG after the German directory assistance market was liberalised for competition as the first market in Europe

Expansion on the German core market. Telephone directory assistance with the telephone number 11 88 0* is established as market leader among the alternative providers due to innovative products and high quality levels and breaks the monopoly of the Deutsche Telekom on the directory assistance market. It was proven: the business model worked.

Going public on the "New Market" was successful which was the growth sector of the Deutsche Boerse at that time.

First phase of quick growth and expansion abroad with numerous acquisitions, new foundations of companies as well as the expansion to the USA due to the boom of the so-called "New Economy".

telegate goes into the loss zone. The new management decides incisive measures and a profound reorganisation as well as restructuring of the group.

Turnaround-phase. Critical analysis of all business activities with regard to profitability and future profit potential. Consequent focus on the core business classic directory assistance business in Europe.

Completion of the restructuring phase. Improvement of the competitiveness and profitability of the directory assistance business. The company manages to return to the profit zone by the closing of the fiscal year 2003.

Start of the second growth phase. Expansion of the business model by a comprehensive offer of new special services of telephone directory assistance as well as the orientation to business customers. In addition, start of the implementation of the multichannel-strategy and expansion of the offers by the information channels internet, SMS and mobile devices. telegate expands to European neighbouring countries simultaneously to the progressive liberalisation of the directory assistance markets in Europe.

Majority interest in the klickTel AG, Essen, integration in the telegate group. telegate significantly expands the advertising marketing business with a marketing team with 400 employees and the new distribution brand "telegate MEDIA". telegate is the strategic partner of Google and thus "first authorised reseller" of Google AdWords in Germany

Greater Focus on the German market. Sale of the French subsidiary telegate 118 000 SAS. According to the GfK, 11 88 0 has an unaided brand awareness of 54%. This makes the directory assistance number of telegate the most well known telephone number in Germany. "klickTel for iPhone" is awarded with the Deutsche Verzeichnismedienpreis 2009 in bronze bei VDAV.

Strategic Cooperations with Nokia, Vofafone and freenet; Sale of the Italian subsidiary