Sagem Wireless
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications, Consumer electronics |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Founder | Marcel Môme |
| Fate | Rebranded as MobiWire SAS in 2011; assets acquired by Sagetel Mobiles |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | International |
Key people | Thierry Buffenoir (CEO) |
| Products | Mobile handsets, connected lifestyle gadgets and services |
| Owner | Sofinnova Partners (majority), SAFRAN (minority), founders and employees (minority) |
Sagem Wireless was an international communications firm based in Paris, France. The enterprise specialized in creating and producing tailor-made connected lifestyle gadgets and services for mobile network operators as well as prominent global consumer brands. Ownership of Sagem Wireless was primarily held by Sofinnova Partners, with minority shares owned by SAFRAN alongside the company's founders and employees.
Currently known as MobiWire SAS, the company focuses on designing and supplying mobile handsets as an original design manufacturer (ODM).
Origins Before Telecoms
Established in 1925 by Marcel Môme under the name Société d’Applications Générale d’Electricité et de Mécanique (Sagem), the firm initially concentrated on mechanical engineering projects, including precision instruments for the French navy. The creation of Société d’Applications Téléphoniques occurred in 1932, which was acquired by Sagem in 1939 and renamed Société Anonyme de Télécommunications (SAT), marking Sagem’s significant entry into telephony and telecommunications sectors.
Telecoms Market Entry
During the 1940s, Sagem ventured into telecommunications by producing telex machines. Robert Labarre held the CEO position from 1962 until 1987, after which Pierre Faurre took over following a management buyout in 1985. Under Faurre’s leadership, Sagem released its initial fax machine and introduced an advanced fax model by 1990.
Mobile Phone Sector Involvement
By 1996, Sagem had launched the “Phonefax” consumer fax device. The GSM mobile phone division was created in 1995 with Olivier Demoly overseeing international sales and Philippe Lucas managing the French market; this period also saw the introduction of satellite TV set-top boxes. In 1999, Sagem acquired SFIM Industries and consolidated its subsidiaries into distinct SAGEM operating divisions by the year 2000.
Between 1995 and 2000, Guy Rouanne directed the Mobile Phones business units while Radiocommunications Systems and Networks were led by Thierry Buffenoir. Buffenoir became chairman and CEO of Sagem Mobile in 2001. Under his guidance, by 2004 Sagem Mobile ranked among Europe’s top five handset manufacturers and led the French market.
Following the establishment of SAFRAN in 2005, the Group concentrated on its core activities, divesting its mobile phone and broadband divisions in 2008 to create Sagem Wireless and Sagem Communications respectively.
Developments from 2009 to 2010
Sagem Wireless was officially formed in January 2009 with backing from Sofinnova Partners and Thierry Buffenoir appointed as CEO. Subsequently, the company shifted its focus toward designing mobile phones for third-party clients.
In 2009, Sagem Wireless launched connected lifestyle products, including co-branded items for Porsche Design and Hello Kitty. Operator-branded handsets featured the Vodafone 533 Crystal, developed exclusively for Vodafone incorporating Crystallized by Swarovski Elements.
In October 2009, a licensing deal was signed with PUMA to produce a fully customized mobile phone embodying PUMA’s brand identity.
At Mobile World Congress 2010, two new models were revealed: the PUMA PHONE and CosyPhone.
In November 2010, the company introduced Binder, a white-label e-Reader that secured contracts with French retailer FNAC and Telecom Italia. The CosyPhone also became available commercially during that month.
MobiWire
In early 2011, Sagem Wireless underwent a rebranding to become Mobiwire SA, highlighting its separation from other SAGEM offshoots such as SAGEMCOM and SAGEM Defence. However, the company soon faced insolvency.
On 22 July, after entering recovery procedures, Sagetel Mobiles injected capital and acquired certain assets, maintaining a portion of the workforce and leadership team. The newly formed organization, MobiWire SAS, now functions as an original design manufacturer (ODM), focusing on the design and production of mobile phones.
Technologies
Sagem Wireless partnered with cutting-edge technology companies to incorporate innovative third-party components and solutions into its product lineup. Being part of the Sofinnova Partners network allowed it to benefit from a broad range of expertise.
Notable collaborators included:
- INSIDE Contactless – developer of chips for contactless secure payment systems and consumer devices
- Myriad Group – internationally recognized provider of mobile software platforms and operating systems
- Sensitive Object – specialists in touchscreen technologies
- Streamezzo – providers of mobile television and rich media services
- Revolt Technology – creators of durable mobile battery solutions
- Varioptic – pioneers in liquid lens technology applied to mobile phone cameras
- UPEK – suppliers of biometric fingerprint authentication systems
- Sagem Orga – manufacturers of smart cards
- Arkamys – developers of 3D audio DSP libraries
- Total Immersion – innovators in augmented reality applications
- Spatial View – experts in auto-stereoscopic 3D video technology
- DiBcom – producers of chipsets designed for low-energy mobile TV and radio reception
- Spraylogik – providers of dispensing technologies and systems
- Mobiles Republic – creators of the On Device Portal for mobile content delivery
- Cellmania – developers of wireless search, provisioning, and billing platforms for network operators
- Connect Things – specialists in barcode and context-aware location/time-based content management systems
- Sagem Communications – suppliers of broadband terminals, convergence devices, and energy solutions
Operator branded devices
- Vodafone 533 Crystal
- Vodafone 540 Grey
- Vodafone 540 Black
- Vodafone 540 White
Exclusive brands
- Porsche Design 9521
- Porsche Design 9522
- Porsche Design 9522 Black Edition
Global brands
- Hello Kitty Day Edition (Sagem my421z)
- Hello Kitty Night Edition (Sagem my421z)
- Hello Kitty Kawaï
- Roxyphone
- Puma phone
- Oxbow (Sagem my411c)
- Lulu Castagnette (Sagem my411c)
References