Telecoms
Telecoms: the closure stories and lessons of 106 startups.
106 startups
Skype
The app that made free voice and video calls over the internet mainstream
Closed1996 – 2001Excite@Home
The cable broadband provider that merged with the Excite web portal
Closed2015 – 2025Nakhtel
Telecommunication company in Azerbaijan
Closed2005 – 2024Go Mobile
Company in Kristiansand, Norway
Closed2020 – 2024Gravity Space
Satellite company
Closed2009 – 2024LudoMobil
Norwegian telecom firm
Closed1992 – 2024Nordix Data
Telecoms
Closed2010 – 2024Primacom
Business
Closed2022 – 2023SychrovNET
Czech company
Closed2008 – 2022AINMT
Scandinavian telecom company
Closed1995 – 2022Invitel
Telecommunication company in Hungary
Closed1998 – 2022Kajola-Kristada Ltd.
Manufacturing company in St. Kitts and Nevis
Closed2003 – 2022Telio
Norwegian telecommunications company
Closed1992 – 2020Demon Internet
British Internet service provider
Closed1991 – 2020Globosat
Cable/satellite channels division of Grupo Globo
Closed1995 – 2020NII Holdings
Wireless communications company with operations in Latin America
Closed1996 – 2019Externet
Telecoms
Closed2005 – 2019Fon
Company of Spain
Closed1999 – 2019Nana 10
Israeli web portal
Closed1997 – 2019Telfort
Brand of KPN
Closed2012 – 2019The People's Operator
Mobile virtual network operator in the United Kingdom
Closed1999 – 2018Aircel
Indian telecommunications company
Closed1997 – 2018iWireless
US American telecommunications company
Closed2008 – 2017MTS India
Indian Telecommunications company
Closed1995 – 2017One.Tel
Australian telecom company
Closed2001 – 2017Pepcom
Telecoms
Closed2009 – 2016Mobilicity
Canadian telecommunications company
Closed2012 – 2016Ninetology
Malaysian smartphone manufacturer
Closed2008 – 2016Prima
San Marinese telecommunications company
Closed2005 – 2016San Marino Telecom
Telecommunication company in San Marino
Closed2010 – 2016Videocon Telecommunications Limited
Indian cellular service provider
Closed2008 – 2015IKEA Family Mobile
2008-2015 British mobile virtual network operator
Closed2005 – 2015Simyo
Dutch telecommunications company
Closed2004 – 2015Warid Pakistan
Mobile network operator in Pakistan
Closed1995 – 2014Dial-a-Phone
UK phone retailer
Closed2010 – 2014DTK Deutsche Telekabel
Telecoms
Closed1997 – 2014First International Telecom
Taiwanes telecommunications company
Closed2009 – 2014InFiber
Norwegian telecommunications company
Closed1999 – 2014Mobilkom Liechtenstein
Telecommunications company in Liechtenstein
Closed2004 – 2014Network Automation
Telecoms
Closed1997 – 2014Orbitel
Company
Closed1996 – 2014Phones 4u
Mobile phone company
Closed1999 – 2014RaiNet
Telecoms
Closed2005 – 2014Revol Wireless
Ohio-based wireless provider
Closed2001 – 2014Smallworld Cable
Provider of digital cable television
Closed1994 – 2014Willcom
Japanese company
Closed2006 – 20136GMOBILE
Dutch telecommunications operator
Closed2009 – 2013Dicame
Finnish company
Closed1998 – 2012Comcel Haiti
Telecommunication company in Haiti
Closed2000 – 2012Ogo
Electronic messenger
Closed2008 – 2012Platform HD
Company
Closed2001 – 2012Red Mobile
Mobile virtual network operator in the Philippines
Closed2008 – 2012S Tel
GSM operator in India
Closed2003 – 2012S-Fone
Vietnamese mobile communication operator
Closed2000 – 2011Alice
Italian telecommunications company
Closed1994 – 2011Aster
Telecoms
Closed1999 – 2011Chess Communication
Norwegian telecommunications company
Closed1997 – 2011Global Crossing
Company
Closed1995 – 2011Katelco
Telecoms
Closed2004 – 2011Open Range Communications
Colorado-based (now bankrupt) telecommunications business
Closed1997 – 2011Planet Tunisie
Telecoms
Closed1998 – 2011Rhodia
Group specialized in fine chemistry, synthetic fibers and polymers
Closed1994 – 2011UK Online
Internet service provider
Closed1998 – 20102Wire
Business enterprise
Closed1996 – 2010Golden Telecom
Russian telecommunication company
Closed1990 – 2010NT plus
Telecoms
Closed2005 – 2010ProtoStar
Short-lived satellite company
Closed1996 – 2010Redback Networks
Company
Closed2002 – 2010XPress Telecom
Jordani telecommunication company
Closed1995 – 2009Corbina telecom
Telecoms
Closed1996 – 2009Deltathree
VoIP company
Closed2007 – 2009GSM Suomi
Telecoms
Closed2001 – 2009i-mate
Scottish telecommunications and computer software company
Closed1997 – 2009Look Communications
Telecoms
Closed2005 – 2009Neuf Cegetel
French company
Closed1994 – 2009Orbit Communications Company
Privately owned Pay TV network
Closed2002 – 2009Rapid Communications
American telecommunications company
Closed1996 – 2009Showtime Arabia
Showtime Networks Middle East division
Closed1996 – 2009Tiscali telekomunikace Česká republika
Telecoms
Closed1993 – 2009Wavecom
French telecommunications technology company
Closed2006 – 2008OPEL Networks
Australian telecommunications provider
Closed1992 – 2007Actcom
Telecoms
Closed2005 – 2007Amp'd Mobile
3G cellphone service
Closed2005 – 2007M.Mobile
Telecoms
Closed2000 – 2007Navini Networks
Telecoms
Closed1998 – 2006BowieNet
Internet service provider
Closed2000 – 2006Tropolys
Telecommunications company
Closed1997 – 2006VK Mobile
Company
Closed1992 – 2005Energis
UK business
Closed2000 – 2005Oreka
French Internet service provider
Closed1992 – 2005OzEmail
Early Australian internet service provider
Closed1999 – 2005Zon
Telecoms
Closed1996 – 2004GT Group Telecom Inc.
Canadian competitive local exchange carrier
Closed1994 – 2003Stargate Industries
Internet service provider located in the United States
Closed1999 – 2002Blu
Italian telecommunications company
Closed1996 – 2002Opasia
Brand name of Tele Danmark
Closed1993 – 2002RWE Telliance
Telecoms
Closed1994 – 2002World-Net
French Internet service provider
Closed1996 – 2001Cityline
Russian Internet provider
Closed1997 – 2001o.tel.o
German telecommunications company
Closed2000 – 2001TeleFona
Danish telephone company
Closed1993 – 2001Winstar Communications
American telecommunications company
Closed1995 – 1999Image Scandinavia
Telecoms
Closed1994 – 1998Bay Networks
Network hardware business enterprise
Closed1994 – 1998Ultranet
Internet service provider
Closed1994 – 1996eWorld
Internet service provider
Is a startup missing from the graveyard?
Tell us about a startup that has shut down; we'll verify it with sources and add it.
This section is compiled from public sources (Wikidata, news archives and company announcements). Figures are given as they appear in those sources; unknown fields are left blank. If you spot a mistake in an entry, you can send us a correction.