Our Story
Our vision nearly two decades ago was to become central for all telephony requirements. Over the years we have built our portfolio to be just that. Offering more than just global, wholesale telephony solutions, Core Telecom delivers a comprehensive range of services and products from physical hardware including handsets, to UK numbers, SMS management, hosted tephony and worldwide connectivity.
History
We’re proud of where we’re from and how far we’ve come. Take a look at a timeline of the history of Core Telecom and see how we’ve grown into a global carrier.
Charities
The work we do with charities is extremely important to us. As part of our local focus, we support a range of charities in the North of England but also provide national services for charitable organisations.
Events
Core attends and sponsors events internationally. This helps to raise our profile accross the globe and supports other businesses in our industry.
Free 0300 number for UK charities
We’re donating a free 0300 number to all UK charities, completely free of charge.
Providing Global Access
From small beginnings to being one of the largest international network carriers, Core remains at the heart of the telecoms industry. Core Telecom is universally recognised for its strong, lasting partnerships, which have helped to establish one of the largest portfolios of direct interconnects in the world.
Focussed on quality, reliability and scalability, we pride ourselves on providing rapid and affordable routing access across the globe.
Family Values
Core runs like a family business and places great emphasis on its relationships. Not just with its own employees but with its entire network of customers and suppliers.
Our team is made up of talented, experienced individuals, from all walks of life, giving us an enviable pedigree and invaluable diversity. We invest heavily in our own continual development and have unparalleled knowledge of this fast moving sector, which enables us to remain on the frontline of telephony transformation.
Meet the team

Mahmood Mazhar
Chief Executive
Since becoming involved with telecoms, his strategic focus and brand development has enhanced Core Telecom’s portfolio and profile.
Mahmood is at the forefront of Core’s drive for corporate social responsibility. Mahmood is passionate about supporting all charities, especially those in our local Yorkshire region.

Paul Turner
Group Managing Director
Since Paul took the helm in 2007, Core has transitioned from a local provider to a national operator, to the global carrier it is today.
Paul is a world leading e-sports cyclist in his age group. He represented Great Britain outdoors at the 2018 World Cycling Championships in Trento, Italy

Michael Boyd
Commercial Director
Michael, a business graduate, joined Core to strengthen the sales team in 2011 after a successful spell in retail.
He has overseen a paradigm shift within Core; moving into new global markets and across a new range of verticals.
In 2021, his skill and excellence were rewarded by him being promoted onto the board of directors of Core, as Commercial Director where he will continue to lead his young dynamic team to greater goals.

Tom Dean Knight
Head of IT
Tom has over 20 years of IT and web experience and joined Core with a focus on expanding our systems and technologies.
Tom is fundamental to Core’s migration to the next generation of digital technologies and has developed a clear strategy toward implementation.
Aside from moving our technology to the cloud, his focus will be on expanding and developing our infrastructure, implementing ISO 27001 Information Security Management as well as bringing in new skills and talent to Core’s IT team.
Connecting Communities
Strengthening community is extremely important to Core Telecom. Our CEO, Mahmood Mazhar and Group Managing Director, Paul Turner, are both heavily involved in supporting local communities and dedicate a significant amount of time and resource in charitable causes.
Over the years Core Telecom has not only offered charitable donations but has also developed a service specifically to support UK registered charitities. Giving free-to-use 0300 numbers to charity organisations, Core Telecom will then provide tailored services to meet the exact requirements of the charity.
Support
Both Mahmood and Paul provide ongoing strategic support to a number of charities across the UK. Their active roles with these charities not only help to improve the efficiency and value for money but also enhances the profiles of the causes.
Sponsorship
Core continues to raise money for disabilities, schools and our local community, which are all causes that hold a personal significance to our team. Core have supported the Yorkshire Business awards by being a major sponsor for over 5 years.
Services
We provide direct telecom services to more than 75 UK charities, saving them thousands of Pounds every year. We also offer every registered UK charity a free-to-use 0300 number.
Our History
Core Telecom spearheaded the telephony revolution for nearly two decades. Throughout our rich history we have pioneered some of the most advanced connectivity solutions available and remain committed to evolving our product and services portfolio to meet the ever changing demands of today’s businesses.
2005
Core Telecom’s journey starts in Leeds, UK
We become a rangeholder with the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom.
They provide us with our own numbers on the UK network.
2008
We build up solid assets
We completed the construction of our new office, Mazhar House in Leeds.
Core launched key subsidiary brand 08 Direct Ltd.
2009
We invest in our people and technology
We develop new technologies and introduce Virtual Mobile Numbers to open new markets and turbo-charge growth.
We achieve Investors in People accreditation. This demonstrates our commitment to investment in our staff.
2010
Improving our connections
We establish a BT IPX interconnect to leverage new technologies and allow greater flexibility and scale of the Core network.
We open our second data centre in Croydon. This gives us greater capacity as well as improved security and stability in our network.
2011
International focus
We focus on international carrier connectivity by opening a third data centre, specifically for global connections to Core.
2014
Becoming a Tier-1 Carrier
Core establises the first Tier-1 carrier interconnect with Sunrise, Switzerland.
This starts us on our journey to becoming a global carrier.
2016
Trusted delivery
Core becomes Short Message Service Center (SMSC) enabling routing, storing delivery of Short Messages (SMS).
All our numbers are enabled as Voice and SMS.
2017
Making our presence known
We establish a Point of Presence (POP) in both Europe and the Pacific Region.
This enables us to provide permanent connections to our operating partners and ensure optimal routes for traffic throughout the wider Core network.
2018
Boosted retail offerings

We boost our retail offerings by acquiring the Briing and Yo Conference brands.
Core introduces a beskpoke carrier FMS (fraud management system) to eliminate fruad and reassure our partners that thier traffic and routes are safe.
We expand further with by establishing another Point of Presence (POP) in Asia.
2019
Expanding further
We solidify our partnerships and network in the Middle East by setting up a Point of Presence (POP) to provide better connections to our operating partners and open new markets.
This demonstartes Core’s intent to become an established force in this region as part of our push to become a Global Carrier.
2020
MVNO status in Sweden
Core becomes a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Sweden allowing us greater access and helping to solidify our network in Europe
2021
Core moves to The Cloud
Core undertakes significant investment to virtualise our network operations into The Cloud.
This allows us to be more flexible, more resilient, scale more quickly and provide better services to our clients around the world.
2022
Into the future
Core attains ISO 27001 accreditation for its UK operations. This shows our commitment to data and information security.
We launch our new innovative eSim product. This will open the door to a new, fast-moving market with huge potential.
Core joins over 1,200 operators worldwide to become a member of the GSMA, an international body of licensed mobile network operators.
Talk to us
Get in touch with us below:
Mazhar House
48 Bradford Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS28 6DD