Poptel

Poptel was a British internet and online services provider that operated from 1986 to 2002, distinct from mobile phone manufacturers as it never produced hardware. The company began as an email and bulletin board service before evolving into a provider of online communications and information services, particularly for international non-governmental organizations and political groups such as the Labour Party. Structured as an employee co-operative, Poptel also played a notable role in internet governance by launching a successful bid to create the ".coop" top-level domain for co-operatives. The organization was demutualised and broken up in September 2002, with its various assets transferred to other entities like The Phone Co-op and the International Co-operative Alliance, marking the end of its existence as a unified company.