Customers increase since October 1 for Catalan phone network provider

The Catalan telecommunications company Parlem has increased its number of clients by 45% since October 1, when the independence referendum was held. It was also the period when a large number of companies moved their headquarters outside of Catalonia amidst fears of financial instability caused by the political turmoil between the Catalan and Spanish governments.

“In the last quarter of the year, we increased the number of clients considerably compar ed to those we had accumulated over the last two and a half years,” explained Parlem’s founder and CEO, Ernest Pérez-Mas.

The reason behind this rise was put down to people wishing to use local companies rather than non-Catalan ones. “We see movements in social networks in which people demand proximity consumption, and they make proposals to replace companies from outside (Catalonia) for companies from here, such as ours,” said Pérez-Mas. He added that “the product’s competitiveness,” and the Parlem’s “good customer service” also played their part in increasing the customer base.

Increasing capital

In January, Parlem started a capital increase drive with the intention of raising between 150,000 and 210,000 euros, working out at about 2% of the company’s capital. It is offering its clients to become shareholders with a minimum stake of 1,000 euros.

170 clients have already expressed an interest in the venture, of whom 40 have already made a contribution.

Big ambitions

The company is aiming high. “We want to cover all of Catalonia in the fastest way possible, and become the major telecommunications operator in the country,” said Pérez-Mas. “The best way to do this is with satisfied customers who are shareholders,” he added.

Parlem has also forecast that it will invoice one million euros per month throughout 2018.