Which company did Peter Jones found in 1998 before becoming a long-running Dragon on Dragons' Den?

Peter Jones founded Phones International Group in 1998 before becoming a long-running Dragon on Dragons' Den.

Phones International Group was a telecommunications business established by Jones during the rapid expansion of the mobile-phone market. The company focused on mobile communications and related services, giving Jones experience in a fast-changing technology sector before his television career made him widely known.

Jones joined Dragons' Den when the UK programme launched in 2005. His telecommunications background helped explain his interest in businesses involving technology, communications, distribution, and scalable consumer products. The company name is sometimes confused with major mobile networks or with Carphone Warehouse, which was a separate business.

The date is useful because it places the company before Jones's television profile. His career was already established when he became a Dragon; the programme did not create his original business success.