Digital 23: Elevating the Telecom Sector with Suitable Technical Solutions

The fabric of the present society is embedded with mobile devices and relevant broadband connections that enable telecommunication companies to grab the correct opportunity of increasing their revenue. This includes selling of network equipment, devices and network connectivity. Even, the advent of modern technologies such as Internet of Things, mPayments and other budding communication techniques is overpowering the traditional processes and creating challenges for the telecommunication industry. Having been an integral part of the telecom industry for a decade and a serial entrepreneur, Thomas Derum established Digital 23 in 2015. He identified the opportunity for a niche virtual network operator to compete on product bundles, improved service and technology and to disrupt the traditional telecom market by selling directly to customers owned by trusted retail brands. “Digital 23 operates a unique business model in the emerging telecom market. Partnering with established retail brands, it augments the core retail business with complimentary telecom and digital product offerings to the existing customer base,” says Thomas.

Located in Richmond, Melbourne the company has carved a niche in the telecom market across Australia. By deploying a consultative process, Digital 23 has partnered with retail brands with an aim to render complimentary telecom and digital products through a fully managed brand licensing model to its customers. “Our partnership approach provides retailers the ability to extend market leading telecom and digital services for its customers with minimal investment, resources and fast time to market through the use of a modern and technologically advanced end-to-end telco platform,” Thomas adds.

However, the company’s turn-key solutions includes digital marketing automation, online e-stores, proven contact centre performance for customer acquisition, provisioning, customer care, billing and retention through modern systems and proven processes. The enterprise also holds domain expertise and competitive retail products backed by Australia’s most reliable carrier networks enabling retailers to partner with confidence. “We deliver end-to-end solutions where aggregators provide billing operations, sales support platforms, back-office processing, whole sale products and consulting services. Retailers remains responsible for marketing, sales resources, servicing, support, billing and collections,” he expounds. However, retailers must have a deep domain expertise in telecom or must invest heavily to acquire it; otherwise the setup of an MVNO or XVNO can be burdened with risk. Adding to the above, Thomas also says, “Our core competency lies in identifying the right brands to partner with and servicing these partnerships via a fully managed XVNO solution. It allows retailers to stay focussed on their core business activities while effectively monetising its customer base through the introduction of a seamless new telco services channel.”



Digital 23 focuses on connecting homes and businesses to the National Broadband Network (NBN), present in the Australian market. It offers add-ons including Fixed and Digital Voice, Content such as Presto via its relationship with Foxtel and a range of Plug and Play NBN Ready Devices. It is also committed to grow its business by working closely with key retail partners, Radio Rentals, Rentlo Reinvented and the Co-op, Australia's largest member based retailer. Digital 23 also operates a direct channel under its own brand Australia Broadband where its tests new product and market concepts and is planning to launch a range of cloud-based applications for its customers. It also aims to continue investing in its shared services platform along with expanding its product portfolio along with establishing new brand partnerships with retailers in varied niche markets.