FONEOLOGY celebrated its 20th anniversary in Suva on Thursday night – commemorating a journey that started in 2006 as a mobile phone service centre that has now grown into an established and award-winning professional services provider.
Foneology managing director James Trusler recalled that the company was born when they pursued an opportunity arising out of issues and complaints about mobile phone repair services.
He acknowledged the then Fiji Trades and Investment Bureau (FTIB) – now Investment Fiji – for its support from the beginning.
“Sony Ericsson – Mick Dryden was super keen to help get us up and running and signed us up as their service centre. Alcatel, Motorola, a few others then Samsung and Apple followed a few years later,” Mr Tusler said.
“Today, Foneology still repairs mobile phones, however, together with our other brand Appliances Service Centre, we provide warranty repair services for all Samsung products and that includes TVs, washing machines, fridge freezers, etc.”
“It certainly hasn’t been an easy journey, we had some very rough moments.
“COVID was also a very tough time on the entire country. Post-COVID, we have a new challenge, which has become a major issue for all businesses in Fiji and that is our labour market and shortage of workers.”
Foneology Services manager Autonomous and Evolving Technology (AE&T) Shivnesh Datt said he had the opportunity to witness the company’s diversified growth in the 11 years he had been employed there – including the start of the cherry picker hire service, the opening of other brands in 2019, the iCentre office in 2020 and later law enforcement body cameras.
“All the progress showed that this company is always evolving, always looking ahead,” Mr Datt said.
Today, Foneology provides a range of technologies and support services, including GPS vehicle tracking systems, dash cameras, reverse cameras, alarm, CCTV systems, body-worn cameras, home automation and back end support for speed camera operations.
The company has also won major awards over the years, including the Prime Ministers International Business Awards in three consecutive years from 2016.
Foneology managing director James Trusler (2nd from left) is joined by his team in cutting the cake for the company’s 20th anniversary celebration that was held at the Five Princess hotel in Suva on Thursday. Picture: LITIA RITOVA
