Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales quits mobile network The People's Operator

Jimmy Wales
Mr Wales backed The People's Operator in 2014 before taking it public Credit: PA

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has left the struggling mobile network he helped take public as it fights to resolve a funding crisis by securing new cash.

The People’s Operator, which floated at a £100m valuation in 2014, said Mr Wales had stepped down from the board “to concentrate on his other interests”.

It comes as the loss-making mobile network, set up to donate a portion of its revenues to charity, faces a funding crisis.

At a shareholder meeting on Monday The People’s Operator secured approval for a £700,000 sale of its US customer base to the US mobile network Ting, a move designed to shore up cash and cut costs.

However, its main lender Barclays is demanding the cash be used to help pay...

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