A NORTH-EAST technology start-up is on track to create new jobs and hit £250,000 in annual turnover in its first year as a result of soaring demand for its telecoms services.

Washington-based Sirius Telecom was launched in January by telecoms experts who had worked together for several years in the sector.

The company provides telecoms systems which enable businesses across the UK to streamline their communications infrastructure and cut costs.

It caters for small firms and large operations up to 500+ staff and sells both directly to businesses and through a national network of resale partners.

Sirius has built up partnerships with several major technology firms, including Vodafone, BT Openreach, Voiceflex and Zen Internet, enabling it to offer the very latest technologies to customers.

Sirius Telecom has been backed by advice and support from Sunderland City Council’s business investment team from the outset.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Sirius has achieved a great deal in a short space of time, having developed a strong customer base and an extensive network of influential partners. The firm is a welcome addition to the region’s thriving technology sector and we look forward to supporting its growth in the coming years.”

The business has seen particularly strong demand for IP (Internet Protocol) telephony, which uses the internet to transmit calls. The technology is more cost effective and flexible than traditional telephony and allows employees to work remotely with ease.

Demand for IP systems is growing ahead of the proposed withdrawal of BT ISDN, the UK’s traditional copper-based infrastructure, in 2025.

Sirius is also gearing up for the emergence of G.fast, a new technology currently being rolled out across the UK which will deliver speeds of up to 330Mbps to businesses. It gives businesses access to faster speeds in locations where fibre to the premise (FTTP) has not yet been deployed, through existing copper lines.

Operations manager Jolene Sundin, who has over 15 years of telecoms experience behind her, said: “All members of the Sirius team have worked together for at least six years. We decided to set up our own business after a change of direction at our previous employer.

“We knew, through our collective expertise, we could help businesses in the region streamline their communications while cutting their overheads, and we’re seeing significant demand for our services.

“We have already won a number of key partnerships with like-minded businesses around the UK who are now reselling our services. Securing partnerships with the likes of Vodafone has also been a huge achievement and means we can offer the very best technology to customers.”