Onlime
Onlime is a privately held digital communications company providing fibre, MPLS, VSAT, and Wi-Fi services — supported by its own TechnoPark teleport in Germany and ACE submarine cable stake — to government, enterprise, NGO, and consumer customers primarily in Sierra Leone, with platforms for VoIP, social, and marketplace.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersAerzen, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Onlime does
Onlime is a privately held digital communications company that operates fibre, wireless, and satellite infrastructure to deliver connectivity, voice, and platform services primarily to enterprise, government, and consumer customers in Sierra Leone, with supporting infrastructure in Germany, the UK, Gibraltar, and Mauritius. Its core technical footprint consists of the Onlime TechnoPark near Hannover — a 3,000 sq m facility built by Deutsche Telekom in 1987 to military specifications, with over 50 satellite antennas and a 1 MW standby-powered data centre — alongside its POP at London Telehouse East and shareholder positions in the ACE (Africa Coast to Europe) submarine cable and SALCAB, the Sierra Leone Cable Company. The product portfolio spans MPLS-managed Internet, dedicated fibre, VSAT, cellular backhaul, video conferencing, CDN, and the Limezone free Wi-Fi network across Freetown, with consumer-facing VoIP via the LimeySL/TalkOnlime apps, a Limey social network, and the ShopOnlime/CarsOnlime marketplaces.
Onlime's revenue model combines subscription-based enterprise contracts (managed Internet, MPLS, IP Transit, IP-PBX hardware sales to governments, banks, embassies, UN entities, and NGOs), usage-based VoIP credit sales, advertising on the Limezone Wi-Fi network through the LimeClick platform, and marketplace commissions from ShopOnlime/CarsOnlime. Pricing is published in Sierra Leonean Leones for local consumer services (e.g., 100MB Wi-Fi bundle at Le 1,000) and in USD for VoIP top-ups ($5/$10/$20); enterprise pricing is quote-based. The go-to-market is hybrid: enterprise field sales for government and institutional accounts, product-led growth via free app downloads for consumer VoIP, and community-led growth through Limezone Wi-Fi and Limey social network referral programmes.
Onlime firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Onlime
- Legal name
- Onlime Limited
- Website
- https://onlime.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Onlime is a privately held digital communications company providing fibre, MPLS, VSAT, and Wi-Fi services — supported by its own TechnoPark teleport in Germany and ACE submarine cable stake — to government, enterprise, NGO, and consumer customers primarily in Sierra Leone, with platforms for VoIP, social, and marketplace.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Onlime industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications and Digital Communications Services
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Satellite Telecommunications (517410), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Site Security, Monitoring & Remote Operations (NOC/IoT) (HDAIAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Emergency Telecommunications & Connectivity (ETC) (BPADADAG), Onsite/Field IT Support Services (BPAEABAC)
Keywords
Where Onlime is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aerzen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
Onlime business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Enterprise Internet Services: Recurring subscription fees for dedicated Internet connectivity, MPLS services, managed DSL, and IP Transit. Revenue from enterprise customers including government, banking, and multi-branch organisations requiring 24/7 connectivity.
- VoIP Services and Credits: Revenue from sale of VoIP credits for calls to landlines, mobiles, and international destinations. Free on-network calls drive adoption; monetisation through off-network call charges.
- IP-PBX and Hardware Sales: One-time sales of IP phones, PBX systems, and related hardware. Products include Grandstream devices ranging from Le 750,000 to Le 4,999,000 and IP-PBX 6000 at Le 750,000/month.
- Limezone Wi-Fi and LimeClick Advertising: Free Wi-Fi service monetised through LimeClick advertising platform allowing businesses to deliver digital banner ads to Wi-Fi users. Also premium LimezonePAY service for uninterrupted Internet access.
- ShopOnlime Marketplace: E-commerce platform for vehicles (CarsOnlime) and other goods/services. Commission or listing fees from sellers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | LimezonePAY Wi-Fi Bundles |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | TalkOnlime/LimeySL App Top-ups |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | IP Phones and PBX Hardware |
| Subscription | Monthly | Enterprise Internet Packages |
| Subscription | Monthly | Home Internet Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Onlime product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Onlime is a digital communications company providing business communications, internet, voice, and satellite services through its own infrastructure (TechnoPark teleport, submarine cable stake, MPLS network) for enterprise and government customers across West Africa and Europe, alongside consumer VoIP, free community Wi-Fi, and e-commerce services in Sierra Leone.
Product overview
Onlime is a digital communications company offering a unified platform combining telecommunications infrastructure, internet services, and social media. The core product portfolio includes: (1) Onlime TechnoPark teleport and data centre in Germany with satellite connectivity services (VSAT, cellular backhaul, fibre restoration); (2) Internet & Data services including MPLS over Fibre, Managed Internet, Video Conferencing, CDN, and ACE Submarine Cable connectivity; (3) Wi-Fi services via Limezone (free hotspots) and LimezonePAY (paid vouchers) in Sierra Leone; (4) Voice services including LimeySL/TalkOnlime VoIP apps, Enterprise VoIP/IP-PBX, Consumer Voice, and TV/Radio streaming; (5) Social Media Platform including Limey Social Network, ShopOnlime e-commerce marketplace, and CarsOnlime vehicle marketplace. The company operates its own POP in London Telehouse East and maintains presence across Germany, Gibraltar, Sierra Leone, and Africa.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ShopOnlime: E-commerce platform for buying and selling goods and services in Sierra Leone, including vehicles through CarsOnlime.
- Limey
- Limezone
- LimezonePAY
Quantifiable outcome
- Single customer links up to 100 Mbps via ACE cable and wireless network
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Onlime
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Onlime technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Onlime partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ACE Submarine Cable ConsortiumcoreOnlime is a shareholder in the ACE (Africa Coast to Europe) submarine cable. The cable provides Internet, data and voice services from POPs in Europe to West Africa. Principal points of entry in West Africa are Freetown in Sierra Leone and Lagos in Nigeria, where ACE hooks into the Onlime data network.
- SALCAB (Sierra Leone Cable Company)coreOnlime is a founder shareholder of SALCAB, the Sierra Leone Cable Company responsible for the ACE submarine cable landing and operation in Sierra Leone. Onlime was the first Internet Provider to activate services on the ACE submarine cable.
- Tier 1 Internet ProviderscoreOnlime POP in London Telehouse East has dedicated fibre connections to Tier 1 Internet providers, enabling delivery of high quality MPLS services and managed DSL/Internet networks globally.
- Limezone Wi-Fi Hosts/PartnersminorBusinesses hosting Limezone Wi-Fi hotspots including banks (Keystone Bank, GTbank), restaurants, universities (Limkokwing, Njala, PGU), colleges, and retail locations. Hosts receive equipment, installation, and marketing support from Onlime.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Onlime competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MainOne (Equinix): West African submarine cable operator and connectivity provider with a cable system linking Portugal to Nigeria, with data centre and enterprise services directly comparable to Onlime's ACE cable shareholder position and enterprise Internet business in West Africa.
- iSAT Africa: Pan-African satellite communications and managed network services provider serving enterprise and government customers across West and East Africa, directly comparable to Onlime's VSAT, cellular backhaul, and managed MPLS offerings in the region.
- WIOCC (West Indian Ocean Cable Company): Africa-focused submarine cable consortium investor and capacity wholesaler, directly comparable to Onlime's shareholder position in the ACE cable and its strategy of providing managed capacity and enterprise services in Africa.
Broad incumbents
- YahClick (Yahsat): Satellite broadband provider serving consumers, SMEs, and enterprises across Africa and the Middle East, comparable to Onlime's VSAT and cellular backhaul satellite services for rural connectivity and enterprise backup.
- Speedcast: Global satellite communications and network services provider serving enterprise, maritime, energy, and government customers, broadly comparable to Onlime's VSAT, cellular backhaul, and managed satellite operations from the TechnoPark teleport.
- Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid Telecom): Pan-African fibre and managed services operator with extensive enterprise and wholesale connectivity across the continent, comparable to Onlime's enterprise MPLS, managed Internet, and cross-border connectivity services, but at significantly larger scale.
- Helios Towers: Tower and passive infrastructure operator across Africa and the Middle East, broadly comparable as a passive infrastructure provider hosting third-party telecommunications equipment, similar in concept to Onlime hosting customer-owned satellite antennas at TechnoPark.
- SES Networks: Global satellite operator and managed network services provider, directly comparable to Onlime's teleport-based satellite services and the kind of international operator whose ground infrastructure Onlime hosts at TechnoPark.
Regional players
- AfricaOnline: ISP and managed network services provider operating across multiple African countries, comparable to Onlime's consumer and enterprise Internet business in Sierra Leone, though with a different geographic footprint.
Emerging players
- Hotspot Network (Nigeria): West African public Wi-Fi and digital advertising platform operator, directly comparable to Onlime's Limezone free Wi-Fi hotspots and LimeClick advertising platform in the Freetown market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Onlime social profiles
Digital presenceOnlime financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Onlime leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Onlime subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Onlime funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Onlime 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 Onlime
What does Onlime do?
Onlime is a digital communications company providing business communications, internet, voice, and satellite services through its own infrastructure (TechnoPark teleport, submarine cable stake, MPLS network) for enterprise and government customers across West Africa and Europe, alongside consumer VoIP, free community Wi-Fi, and e-commerce services in Sierra Leone.
Is Onlime a public or private company?
Onlime is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Onlime founded?
Onlime was founded in 1987. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Onlime based?
Onlime is headquartered in Aerzen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Onlime make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Enterprise Internet Services are the primary driver. The others are voIP Services and Credits, IP-PBX and Hardware Sales, limezone Wi-Fi and LimeClick Advertising and shopOnlime Marketplace.
Who are Onlime's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MainOne (Equinix), iSAT Africa and WIOCC (West Indian Ocean Cable Company). Broad incumbents are YahClick (Yahsat), Speedcast, Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid Telecom), Helios Towers and SES Networks. AfricaOnline is listed as a regional player. Hotspot Network (Nigeria) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Onlime have an API?
No public API is recorded for Onlime.
What industry is Onlime in?
Onlime's product category is Telecommunications and Digital Communications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAKAH, Site Security, Monitoring & Remote Operations (NOC/IoT), with a secondary code of BPADADAG, Emergency Telecommunications & Connectivity (ETC). Its NAICS code is 5174 and its SIC code is 4813.