Lebara is bringing migrants ’ homes to them with its unique new range of mobile services

Richard Bastin is the CTO responsible for group technology at Lebara , having joined in 2014 to drive the digital revolution of the business . Lebara began in 2001 as a calling card business ; customers would buy the cards from shops , and the company would earn a small commission . That worked well for three years , then Lebara decided to begin operating as a mobile virtual network operator , or MVNO . An MVNO sits between a standard mobile network operator ( an MNO ) and the customer , allowing cheap international calls – with the aid of the MNO ’ s technical infrastructure – aimed at the migrant community . “ The ability to call home cost-effectively was the inspiration for the company . Lebara ’ s cofounder would call his mother in India , and would use up his monthly call allowance in the space of three minutes ,” Bastin explains . “ Making international calls is much cheaper now , and that ’ s thanks in part to Lebara .”