Lebara

Last updated

Lebara
Industry Telecommunications
FoundedSeptember 2001
Founder Baskaran Kandiah, Rasiah Ranjith Leon, Ratheesan Yoganathan
Headquarters
London
Area served
Europe, Saudi Arabia and Australia
Key people
Stephen Shurrock (CEO) [1]
ProductsMobile telecommunications services
RevenueIncrease2.svg EUR€ 400 million (2020)
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]

Operations

The company currently operates in the UK, France, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany - it has at least 3.5 million customers as of 2017. [10] It has also entered into brand licence 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. [11]

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. [12]

CountryPartner network
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Vodafone [13] [14]
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Telenor [15]
Flag of France.svg  France Orange (Bouygues Telecom until August 2021) [16]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany O2 (Telekom until May 2022) [17] [18]
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands KPN [19]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Mobily [20]
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Vodafone [21]
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Sunrise [22]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Vodafone [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swisscom</span> Swiss telecommunication company

Swisscom AG is a major telecommunications provider in Switzerland. Its headquarters are located in Worblaufen near Bern. The Swiss government owns 51 percent of Swisscom AG. According to its own published data, Swisscom holds a market share of 56% for mobile, 50% for broadband and 37% for TV telecommunication in Switzerland. Its Italian subsidiary Fastweb is attributed 16% of private clients and 29% of corporate clients share of Italian broadband and is also active in the mobile market.

<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, only leasing the use of its brand name.

Xfera Móviles, S.A.U., d/b/a Yoigo, is the fourth-largest mobile network operator in Spain and a subsidiary of the Spanish telecommunications company Grupo MásMóvil. Yoigo has a licence and its own cellular network for GSM/2G, UMTS/3G and LTE/4G technologies, and a national roaming agreement for usage of the 2G, 3G and 4G networks of Orange and Movistar.

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

Vodafone Italia S.p.A. is an Italian telecommunications company that is a subsidiary of FASTWEB. It has 30,153,000 mobile phone customers and 3,182,000 fixed phone lines, with respectively a market share of 28.5% and 16%. The company's headquarters are in Ivrea (TO) and Milan.

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 leading telecommunications holding company with roots in Romania and businesses also in Spain, Italy and now 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">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.

Vodafone Hungary is the third largest mobile operator in Hungary. It started operations in 1999 after securing the third GSM 900/1800 MHz licence of the country and it was the first provider operating in the DCS-1800 band in Hungary. Vodafone is the third largest mobile network operator of the country again. The operator had a share of ~27% of the market in Q2 2020. They controlled approx. 27% of the market in December 2019. Market share The full report about the number of subscribers is available on the company website.

<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 of 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">SmarTone</span>

SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings Limited (0315.HK), listed in Hong Kong since 1996 and a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, is a leading telecommunications provider with operating subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Macau, offering voice, multimedia and mobile broadband services, as well as fixed fibre broadband services for both consumer and corporate markets. SmarTone spearheaded 5G development in Hong Kong since May 2020, with the launch of its territory-wide 5G services. SmarTone is also the first in Hong Kong to launch Home 5G Broadband service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASPIDER</span>

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. ↑ "Palmarium-15.09.2017".
  11. ↑ "Telecompaper". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Lebara Group in handen van Palmarium". www.computable.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "Network status". Lebara. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "Telecompaper".
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Persbericht" (PDF) (Press release) (in Dutch). Lebara. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  20. ↑ "Lebara Mobile to Launch MVNO in Saudi Arabia Shortly". cellular-news. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. ↑ "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.
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.