KPN acquires Xelion, Strengthening Business Communications for SMEs

Dutch telecoms and IT provider KPN has acquired Xelion, the Netherlands-based cloud technology company that develops business communications software. Xelion will join KPN’s SME Business division. The acquisition supports KPN’s strategy of helping businesses make customer contact simpler.

Xelion was founded in 1988 and is based in Delft, with offices in the UK and Germany. More than 20,000 businesses use its software, which it sells through a network of partners across Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. From a single app, employees can make calls, chat, hold video calls and message customers on WhatsApp. It also integrates with Microsoft Teams, CRM systems and other business applications.

Communication matters more and more to small businesses, and it’s getting more complex. Customers expect businesses to be reachable on several channels, and to move quickly between calls, messages and customer information. With Xelion, KPN gains technology that brings all of this together in one easy-to-use platform.

Thijs van den Ende, CEO at Xelion, said:

“Choosing KPN was a careful, deliberate decision. Xelion is in good hands. With KPN’s backing, our customers, employees and partners can count on continuity, along with new opportunities for growth.”

For Xelion’s UK partners and their customers, day-to-day support, contracts, and the partner programme stay the same.

Earlier this year, KPN introduced Mobiel AI in the Netherlands, a service that lets business owners use AI in their day-to-day communication from their mobile phone. In the longer term, Xelion’s technology opens up new ways to connect communication, customer contact and AI support.

Thomas Tolsma, Head of SMB at KPN said:

“Xelion has built a strong position with a platform that is easy to use yet offers a wide range of capabilities. Just as important is the company’s capacity for innovation. We want to preserve exactly that entrepreneurial culture and speed. Adding Xelion to KPN means we can better help SMEs stay reachable, collaborate and serve their customers, wherever they work. At the same time, Xelion keeps the freedom to keep innovating.”