Ten years ago this month, Faretext was founded with a simple idea: make business SMS reliable, affordable, and easy to integrate. What started as a solution for the taxi industry has grown into a messaging platform serving over 400 customers across more than 20 industries. This feels like a good moment to look back at how we got here.
Where it started
In 2013, our founders saw a specific problem in the taxi and private hire industry. Operators needed to send booking confirmations and driver ETAs to passengers via text, but the available SMS services were unreliable, expensive, and difficult to integrate with dispatch systems. We built a platform that solved those problems, starting with direct carrier connections that guaranteed fast, reliable delivery.
The taxi industry gave us our name, but it quickly became clear that the same problems existed across every sector. Businesses of all types needed to send text messages and were being let down by unreliable providers, opaque pricing, and poor support.
Key milestones
Over the past decade, we are proud to have achieved the following:
- 2013 — Faretext founded, first API connections live with taxi operators
- 2015 — Reseller programme launched, enabling partners to offer SMS services under their own brand
- 2016 — SMPP gateway introduced for high-volume enterprise customers
- 2017 — Email-to-SMS service launched, making SMS accessible from any email client
- 2019 — Oello launched, our code-free SMS application for non-technical users
- 2020 — Pandemic response: supported NHS trusts, local authorities, and charities with urgent messaging needs during COVID-19
- 2021 — International SMS expanded to cover 190+ countries
- 2022 — SMS Surveys and interactive messaging capabilities introduced
The numbers
In ten years we have processed over 250 million messages through our platform. We now serve more than 400 direct customers and an extended network of businesses reached through our reseller partners. Our platform handles everything from individual appointment reminders to campaigns of over one million messages.
What the pandemic taught us
The COVID-19 pandemic was a defining period. Suddenly, businesses, healthcare providers, local authorities, and charities all needed to communicate urgently with large groups of people. We onboarded dozens of new customers in a matter of days, many of whom had never used business SMS before. It reinforced something we had always believed: when communication really matters, SMS is the channel people turn to.
During this period, we also launched our "Help Keep the Lights On" initiative, working directly with struggling businesses to reduce their commitments and ensure they could continue operating. We believe that supporting customers through difficult times builds the kind of relationships that last.
What makes Faretext different
Over ten years, we have learned that what customers value most is not the technology itself but what it enables. The features that matter are the ones that remove friction:
- Direct Tier 1 connections — 97-99% delivery rates, not the 85-90% that aggregated routes deliver
- Transparent pricing — no hidden fees for delivery reports, API access, or inbound messages
- UK-based support — a real team who understand the UK market and regulations
- Multiple integration options — from our REST API for developers to code-free tools for everyone else
- Fraud prevention — proactive monitoring that protects our customers and the integrity of the SMS channel
Looking forward
As we begin our second decade, we are investing in the SMS Command Centre, multi-channel messaging capabilities, and enhanced automation tools. The messaging landscape is evolving with RCS, WhatsApp Business, and AI-powered communications, and we intend to be at the forefront of that evolution.
To every customer, reseller partner, and team member who has been part of this journey: thank you. The best is yet to come.
Frequently asked questions
How many messages has Faretext processed?
Since our founding in 2013, we have processed over 250 million SMS messages through our platform, with volumes growing year on year.
What industries does Faretext serve?
We serve over 20 industries including healthcare, recruitment, hospitality, retail, financial services, travel, e-commerce, government, and SaaS. Our platform is industry-agnostic — any business that needs reliable SMS can benefit.
How do I get started with Faretext?
You can register for a free account and receive 25 test credits. Our team will help you choose the right integration method for your needs, whether that is API, SMPP, email-to-SMS, or our Oello web application.
