Simon Woodhead founded Simwood in 1996, initially focusing on internet communications during the early expansion of Voice over IP technology. The company subsequently evolved from an internet telephony specialist into a fully licensed telecommunications carrier. Rather than operating solely as a reseller, Simwood invested significantly in building and managing its own telecommunications infrastructure, a strategy intended to provide greater control over network quality, pricing, security, and service innovation.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Simwood expanded its capabilities to include carrier interconnection, telephone numbering, SIP termination, number portability, hosted voice services, and API-based telephony. The company later extended its operations to the United States, obtaining Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) status across multiple states as a licensed domestic carrier.1

Simwood operates primarily as a business-to-business (B2B) telecommunications provider rather than a retail brand selling directly to consumers. Its customer base comprises ISPs, telecom operators, VoIP providers, MSPs, unified communications vendors, software companies, and contact centre providers. Many businesses utilise Simwood’s services through white-label offerings, rebranding them as their own; consequently, end users are often unaware that Simwood serves as the underlying carrier.2

Carrier Voice

Simwood provides wholesale voice connectivity services that enable telecom providers to connect their communication platforms to public telephone networks. These services include voice termination, voice origination, PSTN connectivity, global routing, telephone numbering, and number portability.

SIP Trunking

SIP trunking is a core offering designed to replace traditional ISDN or analogue phone lines with internet-based voice connections. Features include secure SIP connectivity, high availability, geographic numbering, fraud protection, API provisioning, and real-time monitoring.2

Hosted PBX

The company offers a cloud-hosted PBX platform that partners can fully white-label. Capabilities encompass business phone systems, mobile applications, call recording, voicemail, auto attendants, call queues, team collaboration, and multi-tenant management. Resellers frequently customise this platform with their own branding rather than marketing it under the Simwood name.2

APIs

Adopting an API-first approach, Simwood provides developer APIs for phone number management, voice services, SMS, number lookup, porting, call control, and provisioning. This allows software developers to integrate telecommunications functionality directly into their applications.3

Numbering Services

Simwood manages geographic and non-geographic numbers, number hosting, number portability, and regulatory compliance. These services allow telecom operators to offer local phone numbers without maintaining independent numbering infrastructure.

Microsoft Teams Integration

Simwood integrates its hosted voice platform with Microsoft Teams, enabling businesses to utilise Teams as a telephony endpoint while retaining existing phone numbers and PBX functionality.1

Conversational AI

Simwood has introduced AI-powered voice capabilities, including conversational agents and real-time fraud detection integrated into its carrier network. These services represent an expansion into AI-assisted communications alongside traditional telephony offerings.2

Simwood emphasises ownership of its network infrastructure over reliance on third-party wholesale providers. Key technological features include a carrier-owned network, API-first architecture, cloud-native voice platform, multi-region infrastructure, real-time fraud prevention, secure SIP transport, STIR/SHAKEN support in the United States, automated provisioning, and high availability. This infrastructure is designed to deliver scalability, reliability, and security for service providers.3

A defining characteristic of Simwood’s business is its white-label strategy. Partners can apply their own branding, set pricing, manage customers, control billing, and offer mobile apps under their own name. Simwood supplies the underlying carrier infrastructure while partners maintain the direct customer relationship.2

Telecommunications security is a significant focus for Simwood. The platform includes fraud detection, secure authentication, encrypted voice services, mutual TLS device provisioning, real-time monitoring, and automated abuse prevention. Additionally, the company supports regulatory frameworks such as STIR/SHAKEN to help mitigate caller ID spoofing in the United States.3

Simwood primarily serves the United Kingdom and the United States. Its infrastructure supports international voice traffic, and its services are utilised by telecommunications providers in multiple countries.3

Simwood describes itself as an API-first, infrastructure-based carrier. Rather than focusing on consumer marketing, it positions itself as the “network behind the network,” enabling other telecommunications providers through owned infrastructure, automation, and software-driven operations.3

• 1996 – Founded by Simon Woodhead.
• 1997 – Company formally incorporated.
• Expanded from VoIP services into wholesale carrier operations.
• Built its own carrier-grade telecommunications network.
• Expanded operations into the United States as a licensed carrier.
• Introduced white-label hosted PBX and SIP trunking services.
• Added Microsoft Teams integration.
• Expanded into AI-powered voice services and fraud prevention.1

Simwood operates primarily as a wholesale telecommunications carrier rather than a consumer telecom brand. It competes in sectors including wholesale VoIP, SIP trunking, hosted PBX, telecom APIs, numbering services, and cloud communications infrastructure. Its customers are typically telecom operators, cloud communication providers, and technology companies that build services atop Simwood’s network rather than purchasing retail phone services.3

1. Simwood Announces Fusion of Wholesale and Hosted PBX Offerings to Give Large Partners Flexibility
2. Hosted | Simwood
3. Simwood | LinkedIn