Alt-X listed DataPro Group has obtained shareholder approval to change its name to Vox Telecom, the company said on Thursday.
The change is consistent with the company’s strategy of positioning itself as an alternative telecom operator offering a broad portfolio of voice and data services, it said.
“Although DataPro is well known as an investor brand, we want to reinforce in the minds of the investment community and customers alike that we are evolving into a hybrid telco that can serve all their voice and data needs,” said CEO Doug Reed.
“We believe that the Vox Telecom name and the new brand that we are launching will be an exciting and progressive development in the evolution of our business.”
“The original DataPro Group was very much a traditional ISP [internet service provider] or data business,” said executive chairperson Tony van Marken. “When we listed the business in 2004 it seemed logical to use the name of our corporate ISP business, DataPro, as the name of the listed entity,” he added.
However, over the past year or so the company has transformed into a telecommunications service provider offering a full range of voice and data services to both consumers and businesses.
“This has happened through a combination of organic growth, the creation of new start-up voice businesses within the group, and acquisitions including Atlantic Internet, Definity Telecom, Orion Telecom, VoIP Telecom and Dial telecom. Although the DataPro name is well known, we felt that Vox Telecom was a stronger brand that would reinforce our positioning as an alternative telecom operator,” he noted.
The company now provides telecommunications products and services to more than 60 000 consumers through Atlantic Internet, to more than 7 500 businesses through the DataPro corporate ISP business and to more than 60% of the top 200 listed companies through Orion Telecom.
The company will continue to trade on Alt-X as DataPro, JSE code “DTP”, until July 23, after which it will trade as Vox Telecom under the JSE code “VOX”. — I-Net Bridge