Lebara

Last updated

Lebara
Industry Telecommunications
FoundedSeptember 2001;23 years ago (2001-09)
Founder
Headquarters7th Floor, Import Building, 2 Clove Crescent, East India Docks, London, England, United Kingdom
Area served
Key people
Stephen Shurrock
(CEO) [1]
ProductsMobile telecommunications services
RevenueIncrease2.svg €513 million (2023)
OwnerAlchemy and Triton
Number of employees
400 (2016)
Parent VIEO B.V.
Website www.lebara.com

Lebara is a telecommunications company providing services using the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) business model in the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland and Australia. Lebara provides pay-as-you-go and contract-based mobile SIM cards [2] [3] in these countries, and its brand is also used under license in four other countries.

Contents

History

Lebara was founded in 2001 by UK-based Ratheesan Yoganathan, Rasiah Ranjith Leon and Baskaran Kandiah. The name Lebara was coined from the first two letters of each of the founders' names. [4] At launch the company's initial product was international telephone calling cards, sold through independent mobile phone shops. [4] In 2004, Lebara launched its first mobile virtual network, a low-cost international service in the Netherlands, selling SIM cards using mobile carrier Telfort, a subsidiary of KPN. [4] After finding success it subsequently launched operations in other European countries including the UK (2007), France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany (2010) and Denmark. [4]

Lebara's Swiss operations (Lebara GmbH, Zurich) was sold on July 1, 2013 to Sunrise Communications. [5]

In September 2017, Lebara Group B.V. was sold to Switzerland-based Palmarium Advisors AG. [6] The Spanish operation of Lebara (Lebara España SL) was sold to MASMOVIL Group in November 2018. [7] In 2019 bondholders of Lebara (under holding company Vieo B.V.) took control of the company. [8] [9]

Lebara was sold to Waterland Private Equity in August 2024. [10]

Operations

The company currently operates in the UK, France, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany - it has at least four million customers as of 2023. [11] It has also entered into brand license agreements for the use of its trademarks in Australia, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and Spain.

In 2017 Lebara launched its first postpaid monthly contract SIMs in the Netherlands, as part of a move to appeal to a wider customer base. [12]

Today Lebara focuses on the traditional international calling market as well as offering SIM-only plans and post pay services. Lebara plans to offer 5G services as these become available. [13]

CountryPartner network
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Vodafone [14] [15]
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Telenor [16]
Flag of France.svg  France Orange (Bouygues Telecom until August 2021) [17]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany O2 (Telekom until May 2022) [18] [19]
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands KPN [20]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Mobily [21]
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Vodafone [22]
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Sunrise [23]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Vodafone [24]

Ratings and reviews

Lebara Mobile has been reviewed for its competitive pricing and international call services, with mixed feedback on customer service and network reliability. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vodafone</span> British multinational telecommunications company

Vodafone Group Plc is a British multinational telecommunications company. Its registered office and global headquarters are in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It predominantly operates services in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile virtual network operator</span> Wireless telecom service reseller

A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a wireless communications services provider that does not own the wireless network infrastructure over which it provides services to its customers. An MVNO enters into a business agreement with a mobile network operator to obtain bulk access to network services at wholesale rates, then sets retail prices independently. An MVNO may use its own customer service, billing support systems, marketing, and sales personnel, or it could employ the services of a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Mobile</span> Wireless communications brand

Virgin Mobile is a wireless communications brand used by seven independent brand-licensees worldwide. Virgin Mobile branded wireless communications services are available in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Poland and Mexico. Virgin Mobile branded services used to be offered in Australia, France, Singapore, India, Qatar, South Africa and the United States.

Vodafone Libertel B.V. is the second largest mobile phone company in the Netherlands, and was previously called Libertel. It is part of VodafoneZiggo, a joint venture between Ziggo and Vodafone Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tele2</span> Multinational telecommunications company

Tele2 AB is a provider of mobile and fixed connectivity, telephony, data network services, TV, streaming and global Internet of things services, amongst others, to consumers and enterprises. It is headquartered in Kista Science City, Stockholm, Sweden. It is a major mobile network operator in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The company initially founded Tele2 Russia, but later sold all its operations, later rebranding and changing the name to "t2".

Proximus is the largest of Belgium's three mobile telecommunications companies and is a part of Proximus Group. It competes with Orange Belgium and Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vodafone Italy</span> Italian telecommunications company

Vodafone Italy is an Italian telecommunications company owned by Swisscom though Fastweb + Vodafone. The company's headquarters are in Ivrea (TO) and Milan.

1Global (previously Truphone) is a GSMA-accredited global mobile network that operates its service internationally. The company is headquartered in London and has offices in ten other countries, being spread across four continents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesco Mobile</span> British mobile virtual network operator

Tesco Mobile Limited is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is operated by British retailer Tesco, using the network O2 as its carrier except in Ireland, where the network operator is Three Ireland.

Digi Communications N.V., also known as DIGI Group, is a Romanian telecommunications holding company, which also has businesses in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Belgium. The firm has current statutory seat in the Netherlands and headquarters of effective management in Romania. Digi was founded by Zoltán Teszári, who is the majority shareholder, and has been listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange since May 16, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Mobile (UK)</span> Former mobile phone service provider

Virgin Mobile UK was a mobile phone service provider. The company was launched by Virgin Group and One2One in 1999 as the world's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), initially using the One2One network. Virgin Mobile offered contract mobile packages, as well as mobile broadband services. It sold its services directly, as well as through price comparison sites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asda Mobile</span> British virtual network operator

Asda Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the United Kingdom operated by Asda and using the Vodafone network. Asda Mobile is available in over 360 stores across the UK and online through purchasing either a SIM card or through an Asda Mobile handset.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transatel</span> French telecom corporation

Transatel is a telecom corporation headquartered in Paris, La Défense, and led by the founders Jacques Bonifay (CEO) and Bertrand Salomon. NTT Communications took a majority stake in the company on 28 February 2019, transferred to NTT Ltd. on 1 July 2019.

Talkmobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operating in the United Kingdom on the Vodafone network. As a brand owned by Vodafone, the business is based in Newbury, Berkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycamobile</span> Mobile virtual network operator

Lyca Mobile is a British mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operating in 23 countries. The chairman is Subaskaran Allirajah and the CEO is Richard Schafer. The company sells international pay-as-you-go SIMs. As an MVNO, Lyca Mobile leases radio frequencies from mobile phone network operators and forms partnerships with the operators in each country it serves. Lyca Mobile has also developed distinct business structures such as MVNA aggregator arrangements in various countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6G Mobile</span> Dutch telecommunications operator

6GMOBILE was a Dutch telecommunications operator that declared bankruptcy in 2012. It combined mobile (GSM), fixed voice and Internet technologies into a single network. It was fully licensed and operational as a GSM operator in the Netherlands.

In telecommunications, 4G is the fourth generation of cell phone mobile communications standards. It is a successor to the third generation (3G) standards. A 4G system provides mobile "ultra-broadband" Internet access. Major Australian telecommunications companies, and most resellers that use one of these major telcos, have been rolling out and continuing to upgrade 4G since 2011/2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile by Sainsbury's</span> British mobile virtual network operator

Mobile by Sainsbury's was a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the UK, operated by Sainsbury's between July 2013 and January 2016, using the Vodafone UK network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASPIDER</span> Dutch mobile technology company

ASPIDER is the group name for a series of companies that are mostly based in Europe. The company name has evolved over the years as a result of acquisitions, mergers and restructuring. The company is an MVNE, providing mobile services to companies that want to control their own network. Clients include enterprises, manufacturers, integrators, and the mobile operators themselves.

References

  1. ↑ "Stephen J. Shurrock". UK Companies House. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  2. ↑ Wray, Richard (30 October 2007). "Vodafone calls up economic migrants". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  3. ↑ Wray, Richard (31 October 2007). "Vodafone partners new Sim-only service aimed at immigrants". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Garside, Juliette (17 November 2011). "Lebara co-founder made virtual phone network a real money-maker". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Sunrise Communications acquires Lebara Switzerland".
  6. ↑ "Lebara Group B.V. sold to Palmarium". Lenz & Staehelin. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  7. ↑ "MASMOVIL acquires Lebara España". 21 November 2018.
  8. ↑ "Bondholders poised to seize control of telco Lebara". Financial Times. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Bondholders Take Control of Lebara Via Enforcement | Publications | Kirkland & Ellis LLP". www.kirkland.com. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "Mobile operator Lebara sold to Waterland Private Equity". IS Preview. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "European telcoms group Lebara explores sale (Financial Times 20.12.2023)".
  12. ↑ "Telecompaper". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Lebara Group in handen van Palmarium". www.computable.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "Lebara Mobile launches in Australia" (PDF) (Press release). Lebara. 30 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  15. ↑ Lohman, Tim (30 March 2009). "Vodafone, Lebara launch new pre-paid mobile service". Computer World. IDG Communications. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012.
  16. ↑ "Network status". Lebara. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "Lebara Mobile enters French market" (PDF) (Press release). Lebara. 6 May 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Telecompaper".
  19. ↑ "Global Market Leader Lebara Mobile launches in Germany" (PDF) (Press release). Lebara. 10 January 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  20. ↑ "Persbericht" (PDF) (Press release) (in Dutch). Lebara. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  21. ↑ "Lebara Mobile to Launch MVNO in Saudi Arabia Shortly". cellular-news. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  22. ↑ "Lebara Mobile partners with Vodafone to launch low cost, high quality mobile services in Spain" (PDF) (Press release). Lebara. February 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  23. ↑ "Lebara Mobile – slashes the cost of international mobile calling from Switzerland" (PDF). Lebara. 26 February 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  24. ↑ "Lebara Mobile Launches Low Cost International SIM" (PDF) (Press release). Lebara. 31 October 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  25. ↑ "Lebara Mobile Reviews". Cable.co.uk. Cable.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.