Company: Telecoop
Interviewee: Marion Graeffly, Co-Founder

Website: https://telecoop.fr/

Reclaiming Telecom for People and the Planet

In an industry dominated by large corporations and opaque practices, Telecoop is proving that telecommunications can be democratic, sustainable, and fair. As France’s first solidarity-based cooperative mobile operator, Telecoop is doing more than selling mobile plans; it is rewriting the rules of how the telecom sector can serve citizens and the environment.

Putting Power in the Hands of Citizens

Founded with the bold mission of reimagining telecommunications, Telecoop offers more than just connectivity; it offers co-ownership. Any customer can become a shareholder and help define the cooperative’s strategic direction. This citizen-driven model enables a transparent and inclusive business approach grounded in ecological responsibility and public interest.

Telecoop is not just a telecom provider; it’s also a civic platform that engages with government institutions to advocate for policies that support the ecological transition. All jobs created by the company are based in France, which reinforces its commitment to local economies and social sustainability.

Telecoop is challenging industry norms by introducing France’s first pay-per-use mobile data plan. This plan helps customers rethink their digital habits and reduce unnecessary consumption. This innovation is backed by a robust ethical framework: Telecoop uses only French data centers to ensure data sovereignty and maintains strict digital privacy standards. All internal tools are open source, aligning with the company’s values of transparency, autonomy, and technological accountability.

Telecoop is not just a telecom provider; it’s also a civic platform that engages with government institutions to advocate for policies that support the ecological transition.

Listening to the community and shaping the future

Telecoop’s democratic spirit extends to product development. Each year, the cooperative conducts a comprehensive member survey and receives feedback from approximately 10% of its users. This input shapes service design and company priorities. One key focus area is reducing the environmental impact of mobile phone usage by encouraging users to hold on to their phones longer and use less data overall.

The company tracks key performance indicators such as:

• Average phone lifespan among users
• Estimated data usage avoided compared to conventional operators
• The number of customers helped to extend device life through educational tools and advice

These metrics help Telecoop stay focused on long-term impact rather than short-term gains.

Innovation for Empowerment

One notable ethical innovation is Telecoop’s smartphone selection tool, which helps users find devices that align with their needs and values. The tool includes sustainability filters, such as repairability, production ethics, and features that promote healthier screen usage. The tool not only offers convenience but also supports informed, conscious digital consumption and has received strong user approval.

One notable ethical innovation is Telecoop’s smartphone selection tool, which helps users find devices that align with their needs and values.

Building the Cooperative Ecosystem and Facing the Giants with Integrity

True to its collaborative roots, Telecoop actively participates in Lelicoon, a French cooperative alliance connecting businesses across various B2C markets. The goal is to pool resources, share knowledge, and strengthen the cooperative economy across sectors, from telecommunications to car sharing. These partnerships reinforce Telecoop’s resilience and extend its reach, even in the face of stiff market competition.

One of Telecoop’s biggest hurdles has been visibility. Competing with large telecom conglomerates, which control much of the media and market, is no easy task. Add to that the challenge of raising public awareness about the invisible environmental costs of mobile consumption, and it’s clear that ethical telecommunications aren’t for the faint of heart. Still, Telecoop’s persistence is paying off, thanks to the strength of its mission and the loyalty of its community.

Advice for New Ethical Tech Starters and Looking Ahead

Marion Graeffly, the Co-Founder of Telecoop, advises others in the ethical tech industry to carefully consider how best to support an existing mission. “Is your innovation meaningful? Would it be better to create something new or strengthen a promising initiative already underway?” She says that success doesn’t always come from originality; it can also come from thoughtful adaptation and collective action.

Telecoop’s next chapter includes launching an innovative mobile plan in which customers receive a discount on their bill for using less data than they paid for. The idea is to make sustainable digital behavior more intuitive — and even fun. The cooperative also plans to expand public awareness campaigns about electronic waste, emphasizing the urgent need for more mindful tech use.