Transatel

Transatel is a telecommunications company providing cellular connectivity solutions for both businesses and consumers.
Founded in 2000, the company is led by its co-founders Jacques Bonifay and Bertrand Salomon. Since 2019, Transatel has been a subsidiary of the NTT Group.
Based in France, Transatel also has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Singapore, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States.

WWW transatel.com 𝕏 transatelmobile YT transatel2215

Activities

Internet of Things

As a virtual mobile network operator, Transatel provides global cellular connectivity services for M2M and IoT applications across the automotive 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, enables coverage in more than 200 countries and territories.
Transatel’s client portfolio includes BMW, Airbus, Worldline, Cisco, Stellantis, and Toyota.

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. This innovation won multiple awards, including the IoT Awards 2021 and the IoT Breakthrough Awards 2021. The solution was deployed by Toulouse Metropole during the Rugby World Cup to ensure connectivity for emergency services.

Branded mobile services

As a MVNA / MVNE, 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 in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, including Ecotalk, China Telecom, Mozillion, Mega, and many others.
In addition to wholesale activities, Transatel has operated several retail brands:Transatel Mobile Euro Keitai Le French Mobile Transatel DataSIM Bitebird with Air France–KLM Ubigi
Transatel is a founding member of MVNO Europe and of the Alternative Télécom association, where Jacques Bonifay serves as President and Vice-President, respectively.

Ubigi

In 2017, Transatel introduced Ubigi as a brand providing international eSIM mobile plans for smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The service has been made available through partnerships with Apple, Android, Microsoft, Fujitsu, Dell, Toshiba, Vaio, Asus, Acer, and Lenovo.
Ubigi has also been adopted by automotive manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, BMW, and MINI to deliver in-car connectivity for their customers. In 2023, the service was extended to enterprises under the name Ubigi for Business.

Key Dates

2000 – Creation of the company
2001 – Launch of Transatel Mobile
2004 – Launch of MVNE activity in France and Belgium
2005 – Launch of Euro Keitai
2007 – Launch of MVNA activity in France
2008 – Launch of MVNE activity in the UK and Switzerland
2009 – Launch of MVNA activity in the United Kingdom
2010 – Launch of French Mobile
2011 – Launch of Machine-to-Machine activity
2014 – Assignment of code 901 37 by the ITU
2014 – Launch of IoT activity
2015 – Launch of Transatel Data SIM
2016 – Launch of Bitebird
2017 – Launch of Ubigi
2019 – Acquisition by NTT Group
2023 – Launch of Ubigi for Business
2024 – Opening of Transatel Brazil subsidiary

Key Clients

Airbus
BMW Group
Toyota
Stellantis
Jaguar Land Rover
Worldline
Air France
On-Off

Professional Associations

GSMA
ITU
EENA
MVNO Europe
Alternative Télécom
ECTA
EUWENA

Awards and recognition

2025 Finalist, Best Network for Business, Mobile News Awards
2024 Winner, Utmost connected SIM, IoT Global Awards
2023 Consumers’ Champion, MVNO of the Year Awards
2021 Public Safety Solution of the Year, IoT Breakthrough Awards
2021 Projet « Ambitieux », IoT Awards
2020 Grand Prize, BearingPoint IoT Business Hub
2020 Project « Compliant » with LEDGER, IoT Awards
2018 Best M2M/IoT MVNO Solution, MVNO World Congress
2017 Best M2M/IoT MVNO Solution, MVNO World Congress
2017 Best MVNO Provider, Mobile Industry Awards
2016 Best MVNA, MVNO World Congress
2015 Best MVNA, MVNO World Congress
2014 Best MVNA, MVNO World Congress
2013 Best MVNA, MVNO World Congress

Management

Jacques Bonifay

Jacques Bonifay is President and Co-Founder of Transatel, established in 2000.
Since 2012, he has also served as President of MVNO Europe, an association bringing together leading European Mobile Virtual Network Operators. In this role, he oversees lobbying initiatives with the European Parliament, the Directorate-General for Competition, and the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology.
In 2009, Bonifay was elected President of Alternative Télécom. He currently serves as Vice-President responsible for the Mobile Division. In this capacity, he represents the interests of alternative operators before the French Government, Parliament, ARCEP, and the Competition Authority.
He holds an MBA from INSEAD and an engineering degree from ENSERG/INPG in Grenoble, France. He began his career at the Matra Group as an engineer and later as Sales Manager for space equipment, before joining McKinsey & Company as a Senior Consultant. He subsequently led the Strategy & Business Development activities of the Professional & Consumer division at Alcatel.
In 2000, Bonifay co-founded Transatel with Bertrand Salomon. Between 2000 and 2007, they carried out several capital increases, as well as multiple share buyback operations between 2012 and 2016. In 2019, Bonifay and Salomon completed the sale of Transatel to the Japanese group NTT.