VIPNET
VIPNET is an Abidjan-based alternative telecom operator and ISP in Côte d'Ivoire, serving residential, SME, enterprise, public-sector and wholesale carrier customers with broadband internet, MPLS/VPN, colocation, IaaS cloud, VoIP, hosting and IP Transit services delivered over owned submarine cable and 10GE backbone infrastructure.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersAbidjan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What VIPNET does
VIPNET is a privately held alternative telecommunications operator and Internet Service Provider headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, operating as a commercial brand under the AFRIQUE TECHNOLOGIES & SERVICES (ATS) Group. It self-positions as the 3rd Internet Access Provider and the 1st Alternative Operator in the country, with approximately 22 years of operating history and a stated base of 200 clients and partners across 500 cumulative projects. The company holds ARTCI licenses and approvals as an Internet and Telecom Provider, authorizations to sell telecom network equipment, and radio frequency exploitation rights in the 3.5 GHz, 10 GHz, 11 GHz and 18 GHz bands covering BLR, WiMax, LTE, FH and VSAT. In 2020 VIPNET was selected as the exclusive telecom operator of VITIB (Village des Technologies de l'Information et de la Biotechnologie), extending its institutional footprint.
The company's core technology stack rests on owned international submarine cable capacity (SAT3 since 2004, WACS at 2.5 Gbps since 2013, and MAIN since January 2020, being upgraded from 155 Mbps to 1 Gbps), a resilient national backbone of 3 main POPs at 10GE, 700+ peering agreements, and 300+ peers on Internet exchanges in London and Africa. Its service portfolio spans Internet access (Wireless DSL up to 20 Mbps residential / 50+ Mbps office, VSAT, radio, cable, fiber optic, with FTTH listed as coming soon), interconnection (MPLS/VPN private networks with QoS and fixed IPs), colocation in a Tier-1 facility with biometric security, N+1 power and 24/7 access, Cloud Computing (IaaS in a virtual private cloud with a 99.95% SLA), Telecom/VoIP (ToIP as a Service, virtual switchboard, IP call center, CTI, fax-to-mail), Web Hosting, and a Carrier Wholesale proposition (Voice Interconnect, IPLC, International MPLS, IP Transit with 99.99% uptime). A 24/7 Network Operations Center supervises the platform and critical customer infrastructure.
VIPNET's revenue model is overwhelmingly subscription-recurring across enterprise, SME, residential, public-sector and wholesale customers, with usage-based billing layered on for IaaS cloud. GTM is hybrid: dedicated enterprise field sales for Grands Comptes and Carrier Wholesale, plus direct-to-consumer digital presence for residential and SME segments through its bilingual website with quote-based pricing subject to site study. Customer segmentation is horizontal across five tiers (Individuals & Residential, PME, Grands Comptes, Carrier Wholesale, NGOs and public administrations), with 2013 being the last documented major capital event (FONDS CAURIS CROISSANCE II partnership bringing capital to 304 million F.CFA). The company today describes itself as undergoing major organizational changes following recent reorganizations, while continuing to expand international capacity.
VIPNET firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VIPNET
- Legal name
- VIPNET
- Website
- https://vipnet.ci
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- VIPNET is an Abidjan-based alternative telecom operator and ISP in Côte d'Ivoire, serving residential, SME, enterprise, public-sector and wholesale carrier customers with broadband internet, MPLS/VPN, colocation, IaaS cloud, VoIP, hosting and IP Transit services delivered over owned submarine cable and 10GE backbone infrastructure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VIPNET industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications and Internet Services
- NAICS
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Managed MPLS VPN Services (HDAIAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cloud Networking & Virtual Networking (VPC/VNet) (HDABAFAG)
Keywords
Where VIPNET is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abidjan
Offices1 record
Markets served
VIPNET business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Internet Access Services: Provides internet access to individuals, residential customers, and businesses through multiple technologies (Wireless DSL, VSAT, Fiber Optic, FTTH). Revenue is generated through subscription-based access plans at varying speeds and price points.
- Dedicated Internet / Leased Lines (LS): Dedicated internet connections for enterprise clients with guaranteed bandwidth (5Mbps, 20Mbps, 100Mbps+). Sold as specialized liaisons with QoS guarantees, generating recurring subscription revenue from enterprise accounts.
- Telecom / VoIP Services: VoIP and telecommunications services including hosted telephony (ToIP as a Service), virtual switchboard, IP call center, CTI, and fax-to-mail. Revenue from enterprise telecom integration and ongoing service fees.
- Cloud Computing / IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service offerings in private virtual cloud, including storage platforms and hybrid cloud management. Charges based on usage with Opex transformation from Capex for customers.
- Colocation: Data center colocation services including rack rental with redundant energy, high-performance peering, and secure server hosting. Revenue from recurring colocation fees.
- Web Hosting and Domain Services: Domain name registration, email hosting, and web hosting services with storage, antivirus/antispam protection. Revenue from annual subscriptions for hosting packages.
- Carrier Wholesale Services: Voice interconnect, IPLC (International Private Leased Circuit), International MPLS, and IP Transit services for carriers and wholesale customers globally. Revenue from wholesale connectivity and transit fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Wireless DSL for individuals and residential customers, up to 20MB, including installation costs |
| Subscription | Monthly | Wireless DSL Office for SMEs, speeds beyond 50MB, including installation costs |
| Subscription | Monthly | Dedicated Internet (VIPNET LS) for enterprises at 5Mbps, 20Mbps, 100Mbps and more |
| Subscription | Monthly | Specialized leased lines for enterprises from 128 Kbps to 200 Mbps |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
VIPNET product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VIPNET is a licensed telecommunications operator and Internet Service Provider in Côte d'Ivoire selling broadband internet access, private corporate networks (VPN/MPLS), data center colocation, cloud Infrastructure as a Service, VoIP/telephony, web hosting, and carrier wholesale services. The company combines multiple access technologies (VSAT, Radio, Fiber Optic, Cable, Wireless DSL, FTTH) with its own international submarine cable capacity (SAT3, WACS, MAIN) and a 24/7 Network Operations Center to serve individuals, SMEs, large enterprises, and wholesale carriers across West Africa.
Product overview
VIPNET is a telecommunications operator and Internet Service Provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of connectivity and IT services. The company operates as the 3rd Internet Access Provider and 1st Alternative Operator in Côte d'Ivoire. Its core offerings include Internet Access (broadband via Radio, VSAT, Fiber, Wireless DSL, FTTH), Interconnection/VPN MPLS (private corporate networks), Colocation services, Cloud Computing (IaaS), Telecom/VoIP solutions, Web Hosting, and Carrier Wholesale services. The product portfolio spans consumer residential services (Wireless DSL, FTTH), business solutions (dedicated lines, MPLS VPN, hosted telephony, call center), and wholesale carrier services (IPLC, International MPLS, IP Transit). VIPNET has over 20 years of experience, owns international submarine cable connections (SAT3, WACS, MAIN), and operates a 24/7 NOC and modern data center infrastructure.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Internet Access (Accès Internet) Broadband internet access for residential, SME, and enterprise customers using multiple access technologies (Radio, VSAT, Fiber Optic, Wireless DSL up to 20 Mbps residential / 50+ Mbps office, FTTH coming soon). Sold on monthly subscriptions with installation included.
- Interconnection / VPN MPLS
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduce telephone communication costs by more than 50%
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use VIPNET
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
VIPNET technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
VIPNET partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- VITIB (Village des Technologies de l'Information et de la Biotechnologie)coreVIPNET was selected as the exclusive telecom operator of VITIB in 2020, significantly expanding its field of action and providing dedicated telecommunications services to the technology and biotechnology village.
- Global Tier-1 CarriersmajorVIPNET has built its international class connectivity solutions on solid partnerships with global Tier-1 carriers across the Africa zone, enabling direct high-quality connections in and out of Africa and presence at major global connection points.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
VIPNET competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Orange Côte d'Ivoire: The dominant fixed-line, mobile, and broadband operator in Côte d'Ivoire. Directly comparable because both sell broadband internet, MPLS/VPN, leased lines, VoIP, and enterprise connectivity to the same Ivorian customers, but Orange is much larger and incumbent.
- MTN Côte d'Ivoire: Major mobile and fixed-data operator in Côte d'Ivoire. Comparable because MTN provides enterprise connectivity, mobile broadband, and is increasingly competing in fixed broadband in the same geography as VIPNET.
- Moov Africa Côte d'Ivoire (Maroc Telecom): Mobile and data operator owned by Maroc Telecom, active in Ivorian consumer and enterprise connectivity. Comparable as a competing telecom operator with broadband, enterprise, and wholesale services in the same market.
Direct peers
- Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Pan-African fiber, cloud, and carrier wholesale operator. Directly comparable to VIPNET's carrier wholesale and enterprise connectivity business, with a similar mix of submarine-cable-anchored IP Transit, MPLS, and colocation across Africa.
- WIOCC (West Indian Ocean Cable Company): Carrier's carrier with submarine cable capacity serving African telcos. Comparable to VIPNET's carrier wholesale and IP Transit business: both sell IPLC, International MPLS, and IP Transit to carriers needing in-and-out-of-Africa routes.
- MainOne (Equinix): West African submarine cable operator and data center provider. Directly comparable to VIPNET's combination of submarine cable connectivity (WACS/MAIN ecosystem), carrier wholesale, and colocation services across West Africa.
- CanalBox (Vivendi/Canal+): Fiber broadband and pay-TV operator rolling out FTTH in West African capitals including Abidjan. Comparable to VIPNET's consumer broadband and FTTH ambition, targeting the same residential segment with similar fixed-broadband products.
- SEACOM: African submarine cable operator providing IP Transit, IPLC, and colocation across the continent. Comparable to VIPNET's wholesale carrier business in IP Transit and submarine cable-based enterprise connectivity.
Emerging players
- Raxio Data Centres: Pan-African carrier-neutral data center operator with facilities in several African countries. Comparable to VIPNET's colocation product, serving similar carrier and enterprise customers requiring tier-1 hosting in Africa.
- Africa Cloud Services (ACS) / RSwitch Côte d'Ivoire: Regional cloud and interconnection provider in Côte d'Ivoire. Comparable to VIPNET's cloud IaaS, colocation, and Internet exchange/peering services for Ivorian enterprise and carrier customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
VIPNET social profiles
Digital presenceVIPNET compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
VIPNET financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VIPNET leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
VIPNET funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VIPNET M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VIPNET
What does VIPNET do?
VIPNET is a licensed telecommunications operator and Internet Service Provider in Côte d'Ivoire selling broadband internet access, private corporate networks (VPN/MPLS), data center colocation, cloud Infrastructure as a Service, VoIP/telephony, web hosting, and carrier wholesale services. The company combines multiple access technologies (VSAT, Radio, Fiber Optic, Cable, Wireless DSL, FTTH) with its own international submarine cable capacity (SAT3, WACS, MAIN) and a 24/7 Network Operations Center to serve individuals, SMEs, large enterprises, and wholesale carriers across West Africa.
Is VIPNET a public or private company?
VIPNET is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was VIPNET founded?
VIPNET was founded in 2002. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is VIPNET based?
VIPNET is headquartered in Abidjan.
How does VIPNET make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Internet Access Services are the primary driver. The others are dedicated Internet / Leased Lines (LS), telecom / VoIP Services, cloud Computing / IaaS, colocation, web Hosting and Domain Services and carrier Wholesale Services.
Who are VIPNET's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Orange Côte d'Ivoire, MTN Côte d'Ivoire and Moov Africa Côte d'Ivoire (Maroc Telecom). Direct peers are Liquid Intelligent Technologies, WIOCC (West Indian Ocean Cable Company), MainOne (Equinix), CanalBox (Vivendi/Canal+) and SEACOM. Emerging players are Raxio Data Centres and Africa Cloud Services (ACS) / RSwitch Côte d'Ivoire.
Does VIPNET have an API?
No public API is recorded for VIPNET.
What industry is VIPNET in?
VIPNET's product category is Telecommunications and Internet Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAFAA, Managed MPLS VPN Services, with a secondary code of HDABAFAG, Cloud Networking & Virtual Networking (VPC/VNet). Its NAICS code is 517111 and its SIC code is 4899.