The MVNO has partnered local firm Vas2Nets after the country encourages new entrants
Lebara Mobile has chosen Swedish telecom technology provider Telness Tech to supply its back office systems after expanding its operations into Nigeria through a strategic partnership with Vas2Nets Technologies, a Nigerian-based company. The collaboration aims to target underserved segments of the population.
The MVNO, established in 2001, has operations in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, France and Denmark, serving more than four million customers. It also operates under licence in several other countries. In August, Waterland Private Equity acquired Lebara Group for an undisclosed sum, attracted by its strategic positioning as a value-focused challenger brand in the mobile SIM markets – particularly as many markets are becoming cost-sensitive.
The Nigerian initiative marked one of the first new mobile operators in Nigeria in years. Lebara recently entered the Nigerian market after obtaining an MVNO license from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This move is part of Nigeria’s wider strategy to liberalise its telecom sector by introducing MVNOs to enhance competition.
The NCC issued licences across five tiers to encourage a range of business models. The so-called Tier-5 licences, like Lebara’s, allow operators to deploy limited infrastructure while integrating with existing MNO networks.
The new operator will be powered by Telness Tech’s OSS/BSS software and customer experience, while bringing Lebara, an internationally recognised telecom brand – to an entirely new region and expansive market. Telness Tech’s fully automated platform will streamline and automate the new operator. Processcom will also play a key role, providing the mobile core infrastructure necessary for the network’s functionality.
The multi-million-dollar agreement spans several years and includes the launch of both prepaid and postpaid mobile services, with future for PBX solutions. Telness Tech will provide the critical OSS and BSS platforms, ensuring smooth customer management and operations. VAS2Nets, the lead partner, will spearhead the launch of this new operator, which aims to be one of the first new mobile operators to go live in Nigeria.
Cutting edge
Lebara is a nice win for Stockholm-based software automation company Telness Tech. Co-founded by Martina Klingvall (above, right) and Jonas Cedenwing (above, left) in 2021 as a spinout of the Swedish telecom provider Telness, the firm managed an €8.5 million Series A funding round in 2022 to begin taking its cloud-based platform to MNOs. The company already had 15,000 users in Sweden including a couple of operators that had launched cloud-based PBX services using its platform – and wider MVNO services.
The company has taken its digital-first MVNO model to the US now and earlier this year, raised a further €5 million as part of this plan. Telness has reportedly already signed multi-year contracts with its first two US customers. Funding for this round was provided by shareholders Industrifonden and Viltor (JCE Group). At the time of the raise, the co-founders swapped roles. Jonas Cedenwing became COO, leading the international expansion across new continents and Martina Klingvall became CEO of Telness Tech.
Nigerian deal
“This international partnership allows us to bring our cutting-edge telecom technology to Nigeria and is an important step in Telness Tech’s rapid international expansion, following our recent entry into the US market,” said Telness Tech co-founder and CEO Martina Klingvall. “To enable such a massively recognised brand as Lebara to enter yet another market, combined with our advanced technology and VAS2Nets local expertise – will bring a world class service that to Nigeria’s digital population.”
“This project enables us to offer Nigerians a high-quality, affordable mobile service through the combined expertise of VAS2Nets, Telness Tech, and Lebara and Processcom,” said Vas2Nets group executive director of business development Teniola Stuffman (above, centre). “Enabling us to deliver one of the first new mobile operators in Nigeria in years, and with the best technology and offerings on top of that. Rest assured, we’re very proud to lead this joint endeavour.”
“I’m extremely excited about combining all of these capabilities together, between our brand, Telness Tech’s technology and VAS2Nets local expertise, I believe we will deliver a truly world class experience for mobile consumers in Nigeria,” said Lebara director of partnerships Daniel Upson.