Draft:MATE (internet provider)

= MATE = MATE is an independent Australian telecommunications company that was formed in 2016 in response to a gap in Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout market.

MATE uses the NBN infrastructure to provide home internet plans and the Telstra Wholesale mobile network to provide customers with 4G and 5G mobile plans.

The company is the largest privately owned internet and mobile provider and the fastest-growing telecommunications provider in Australia.

MATE is headquartered in Wetherill Park, New South Wales, Australia. The company employs over 60 people from Western Sydney and has committed to maintaining its customer service operations in Australia by choosing not to relocate its call centre overseas.

2016-2018
MATE was founded in 2016 by twin brothers David and Mark Fazio and family friend Jonathan Dundovic. MATE started as a family and friend business and was first established in the Fazio brothers’ aunt’s backyard in Smithfield.

The company was launched in response to the nationwide rollout of NBN, which resulted in a widespread switch in service providers across Australia.

Within the first three years of operation, MATE experienced a substantial revenue increase, growing by 3,703%, indicative of the company's successful local business model.

2019
Initially focused on providing NBN services, in 2018, MATE expanded its offerings to include mobile plans.

MATE came second to Afterpay in the Deloitte Tech Fast 50 Awards, recognising the Australian technology company’s rapid growth within a period of three years. After receiving this prestigious placement, in 2019, David and Mark Fazio chose to move the business into formal office spaces.

2020-2021
Since March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, MATE’s Australian-based customer service call centre contributed to the 100% growth of the company. In 2021, MATE partnered with sports sponsorship platform, MyFavorito.

2023-present
Alongside internet and mobile phone services, MATE is expecting to launch new products into the market. In 2023, MATE’s co-CEO and founder Mark Fazio said that the company aims to remain independent and double in size over the next 24 months.

Awards

 * 2019: Australian Service Excellence Awards, “Sub-category” Champion.
 * 2019: My Business Awards, Winner.
 * 2020: Australian Service Excellence Awards, “Sub-category” Finalist.
 * 2020: Australian Service Excellence Awards, “Sub-category” Winner.
 * 2020: International Service Excellence Awards, “Sub-category” Winner.
 * 2020: Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence, “Sub-category” Winner.
 * 2021: Money Magazine’s Best of the Best Awards, “Sub-category” Winner.
 * 2021: Australian Services Excellence Awards, “Sub-category” Winner.
 * 2021: Mozo Experts Choice Awards, “Sub-category” Winner.
 * 2021: Australian Achiever Awards, “Sub-category” Winner.
 * 2022: Australian Achiever Awards, “Sub-category” Winner.

Central Coast Mariners
MATE has sponsored the Central Coast Mariners A-league men’s soccer team since 2020. Their logo has appeared on the front of the Mariners’ jersey since the 2020/21 A-league season. The MATE logo features on the Mariners’ A-league championship 2022-23 jersey.

Melbourne Victory
MATE has sponsored the Melbourne Victory A-league women’s soccer team since 2021. They are the official telecommunications partner and the shirt sponsor of the Melbourne Victory women’s team.

Adelaide Fire
MATE became a major sponsor of the Adelaide Fire men’s and women’s Hockey One hockey teams in 2021. In October 2021, MATE became the exclusive naming rights partner of the State Hockey Centre in South Australia, now called ‘MATE Stadium’.

Perth Wildcats
MATE has been a major sponsor of the Perth Wildcats men’s NBL team since 2023. Their logo features on the front of the Wildcats’ home jersey.

Brand Ambassador Mathew Ryan
In 2019, Mathew Ryan became a brand ambassador for MATE. Ryan is the captain of the Australian national men’s soccer team and is also the goalkeeper for the Dutch Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar. He featured in MATE’s TV commercial in 2019.

Brand Ambassador Sam Kerr
Sam Kerr is the captain of the Matildas, Australia’s national women’s soccer team. In 2020, Kerr became the brand ambassador for MATE. Kerr has featured prominently in a number of MATE advertising campaigns since becoming the company’s brand ambassador.

Products and Services
MATE offers no-contract, unlimited data NBN internet plans and mobile services. MATE operates as a Retail Service Provider (RSP) to provide its customers access to the NBN.