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Transatel
French telecom corporation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Transatel is a telecommunications company providing cellular connectivity solutions for both businesses and consumers.[1]
 | This article contains promotional content. (August 2019) |
Founded in 2000, the company is led by its co-founders Jacques Bonifay (CEO) and Bertrand Salomon (Deputy CEO). Since 2019, Transatel has been a subsidiary of the NTT Group.[2]
Based in France, Transatel also has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom,[3] Switzerland, Singapore, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States.
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Activities
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Internet of Things
As a virtual mobile network operator (MVNO), Transatel provides global cellular connectivity services for M2M (machine-to-machine) and IoT (Internet of Things) applications across the automotive[4] and connected industry sectors, including aviation, transportation, energy, agriculture, and healthcare. Its ITU-assigned network code 901-37, combined with roaming agreements with over 300 mobile and satellite operators,[5] enables coverage in more than 200 countries and territories.
Transatel’s client portfolio includes BMW,[6] Airbus,[7] Worldline,[8] Cisco,[9] Stellantis (formerly FCA),[10] and Toyota.[11]
Expansion of Private Cellular Networks
In 2021, Transatel introduced a technology that allows SIM cards to connect to both private enterprise 4G and 5G networks and public mobile operator networks.[12] This innovation won multiple awards, including the IoT Awards 2021 (Ambitious Project)[13] and the IoT Breakthrough Awards 2021 (Public Safety Solution of the Year).[14] The solution was deployed by Toulouse Metropole during the Rugby World Cup to ensure connectivity for emergency services.[15]
Branded mobile services
As a MVNA / MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator / Enabler),[16] Transatel provides a platform that allows businesses and operators to resell mobile services under a white-label model. Since its establishment, Transatel has enabled more than 250 mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in France (on the Orange network[17]), Switzerland, Belgium, and the United Kingdom[18][19] (on the BT network[20]), including Ecotalk,[21] China Telecom,[22] Mozillion, Mega,[23] and many others.
In addition to wholesale activities, Transatel has operated several retail brands:
- Transatel Mobile (2001–2019)[24]
- Euro Keitai (2005–2015)[25]
- Le French Mobile (2010–2014)[26]
- Transatel DataSIM (2015–2025)[27]
- Bitebird with Air France–KLM (2016)[28]
- Ubigi (2017)[29]
Transatel is a founding member of MVNO Europe[30] and of the Alternative Télécom association,[31] where Jacques Bonifay serves as President and Vice-President, respectively.[32][33]
Ubigi
In 2017, Transatel introduced Ubigi as a brand providing international eSIM mobile plans for smartphones, tablets, and laptops.[34][35] The service has been made available through partnerships with Apple,[36] Android, Microsoft,[37] Fujitsu,[38] Dell, Toshiba, Vaio,[39] Asus,[40] Acer,[41] and Lenovo.[42]
Ubigi has also been adopted by automotive manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover,[43] Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Fiat, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Jeep),[44][45] BMW,[46] and MINI to deliver in-car connectivity for their customers.[47] In 2023, the service was extended to enterprises under the name Ubigi for Business.[48]
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Research and development
The following are examples of research and development partnerships that Transatel has developed in recent years:
French R&D
- MOBISIP: IMS architecture for MVNOs
- SOLIDORE: smartphone / tablet security
- EXOTICUS: IMS experimentation services
- MOBEMO: NFC services for corporate markets
European R&D
- SEIMONET: transparent mobility between WiMax and 3G
- EXPESHARE: multimedia expert community
Partnerships
- Manufacturers: Alcatel–Lucent, Gemalto, Nokia, NXP
- Laboratories: France Telecom R&D, Fraunhofer, Telecom Sud Paris, Telefónica R&D, University of Rome
- SMEs: Brieftec, Deveryware, Ingelys, Kutalab
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Timeline for MVNO launches
- 2006 Launch of Ten Mobile on the Orange France network
- 2006 Launch of Telenet Mobile on Belgian network Mobistar, and Calao Mobile and BelSim prepaid offers on Base
- 2007 Launch of prepaid offer IDT Mobile on the Orange UK network
- 2007 Start of wholesale packaged offers sold to medium-size MVNO targeting French companies
- 2007/2008 Launch of ethnic prepaid offers on French Bouygues Telecom network: Mobiho, Budget Mobile / Phenix Mobile, Mankono, Horizon Mobile, ZeMobile, Avantaje
- 2008 Launch of GlobalCell on the Orange UK network
- 2010 Launch of EcoNet Wireless (prepaid) on the Orange UK network
- 2011 Launch of M2M enabler
- 2013 Life Mobile launch
- 2015 Provides service for Post Office mobile[49]
Awards and recognition
Management
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Jacques Bonifay
CEO and founder of Transatel, is head of the company's general management, as well as shareholder relationships.
In November 2009, Bonifay became president of Alternative Mobile, the French MVNO association made up of the country's largest MVNOs, where he leads the association's interests in relation to the French government and telecom regulatory authorities.[53]
Bonifay was elected president of EAFM, the European Association of Full MVNOs in October 2012. Now renamed MVNO Europe, the group includes major European operators, such as Liberty Global, Telenet, PosteMobile, Cyta Hellas, Voiceworks, and El Telecom (NRJ Mobile). Jacques guides their European lobbying efforts.[54] Before founding Transatel, Bonifay had a career in the space industry at Airbus, and afterwards as a consultant for McKinsey & Co. at the Paris office. Jacques later headed Strategy and Business Development for the Professional and Consumer Division of Alcatel, where he initiated new businesses based on fixed mobile convergence and e-commerce with several operators.
Jacques holds an MBA degree from INSEAD and an engineering degree from ENSERG/INPG (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Electronique et de Radioélectricité de Grenoble).[citation needed]
Bertrand Salomon
Bertrand Salomon leads the design of the MVNE platform and the product development roadmap.
He also manages Transatel's relationships with mobile network operators worldwide, as well as the delivery of customized solutions[buzzword] for MVNO or Machine-to-Machine customers. Prior to founding Transatel, Salomon was at Bouygues Telecom France, first as the Manager for New Products and Services, then as Director of the Mobile Internet activity. Before that, he worked for Sagem France, in technical development and project management.
Salomon holds an engineering degree from the Polytechnic School of Lausanne (Switzerland), and an MBA degree from INSEAD (France)1[citation needed]
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References
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