ielo joined Connectbase’s Connected World platform to extend visibility and automation of its fiber network services across France. The move gives Connectbase partners streamlined access to ielo’s 30,000 km fiber backbone, which spans more than 3,300 urban areas and serves 80% of medium and large enterprises and 60% of smaller businesses nationwide. ielo maintains full ownership of its network, supported by 12 regional technical centers and presence in over 200 data centers, with 24/7 in-house operations.
Founded in 2016, ielo positioned itself as an independent, business-focused fiber operator competing with France’s major incumbents Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. Its portfolio includes dark fiber, dedicated Internet access (DIA), fiber-to-the-office (FTTO), and wavelength services. The company has attracted backing from growth investors including Keensight Capital, which took a majority stake in 2022 to accelerate network expansion and enterprise penetration. ielo differentiates itself by controlling its infrastructure end-to-end, avoiding outsourced operations and cross-connect charges while offering direct interconnect options in enterprise-heavy urban zones.
Connectbase, based in Boston, operates The Connected World, a global connectivity marketplace covering billions of locations in more than 150 countries. It automates serviceability checks, quoting, and workflow management between carriers, data center operators, and service providers. Connectbase has raised capital from investors such as Harbert Growth Partners, Ascent Venture Partners, Osage Venture Partners, and Spring Mountain Capital to fund its international expansion. The platform is widely used by wholesale carriers and hyperscale buyers to shorten sales cycles and improve supply chain visibility.
- ielo’s network: 30,000 km of fiber, 3,300+ cities, serving 80% of France’s medium/large enterprises and 60% of small businesses
- Presence in 200+ data centers and 12 regional technical centers
- Services: dark fiber, DIA, FTTO, and wavelength connectivity
- Backed by Keensight Capital since 2022 for expansion and acquisitions
- Connectbase’s Connected World: ecosystem platform covering 150+ countries, automating quoting, serviceability, and partner collaboration
- Investors in Connectbase include Harbert Growth Partners, Ascent Venture Partners, and Osage Venture Partners
“We’re excited to welcome ielo to the Connectbase ecosystem,” said Ben Edmond, CEO of Connectbase. “Their operational model and infrastructure quality align perfectly with our mission to digitize and simplify global connectivity.”
🌐 Analysis: ielo’s partnership with Connectbase reflects a broader trend of independent European fiber operators seeking global exposure through digital marketplaces. While incumbents such as Orange Business continue to dominate enterprise services in France, investors like Keensight are betting that agile, wholesale-friendly operators can carve out share with purpose-built B2B networks. For Connectbase, the addition of ielo expands its European footprint and strengthens its ability to serve enterprise demand across mid-tier cities, where global carriers often lack direct infrastructure.
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