iBasis to be acquired by Pébereau’s Tofane Global

iBasis, the wholesale arm of Dutch telco Royal KPN, has been acquired by Paris-based Tofane Global, which is led by former Orange International Carriers CEO Alexandre Pébereau.

The deal, which is for an undisclosed amount, sees Tofane, which was established in 2017, significantly boost its international voice and data business, taking on a unit that generated revenues of €705 million in 2017, with 280 employees across 16 countries.

iBasis was founded in 1996 but was acquired by Royal KPN Basis acquired KPN Global Carrier Services, the international voice business of KPN, in 2007. It will continue to deliver international voice termination and data services to KPN once the deal is complete.

It marks a significant return for Pébereau, who led Orange International Carriers from 2009 to 2016. He has also served as managing director of Maroc Telecom and was formerly chairman of the ITW Founders’ Council.

“iBasis, one of the leaders in the carrier industry, is the ideal first acquisition to serve our strategy of consolidating the international carrier services market as an independent player. The partnership with KPN brings us strong and long-lasting dynamics to our consolidation project”, explains Pébereau.

Tofane Global is a Paris-based company, provider of telecom and digital services for carriers. Tofane’s strategy, it explained in the iBasis announcement, is to “combine multiple players in the International Carrier services market, either by acquisitions or through strategic partnerships. It feeds large yet flexible virtual platforms operated by small teams of experts and achieves strong economies of scale with best-in-class technology.”

KPN said: “Today, Royal KPN N.V. (“KPN”) announces that it has reached agreement to sell its US-based subsidiary iBasis Inc. to Tofane Global, a Paris-based telecommunications and digital player specializing in international carrier services, for an undisclosed consideration. The transaction is in line with KPN’s focus on the execution of its successful Simplify, Grow, Innovate strategy in The Netherlands.”