First introduced at IBS Paris and deepened in an exclusive discussion with the team, Transatel reveals how cellular IoT and predictive maintenance are redefining energy and comfort in architecture.
During the week of the Intelligent Building Systems (IBS) trade show in Paris, Transatel hosted an intimate press breakfast to discuss “Cellular IoT: 5G at the service of smart cities and buildings.” A pioneer in IoT connectivity, Transatel runs its own telecom core network and manages more than 120 MVNOs (mobile virtual operators), making it Europe’s leading aggregator of alternative carriers. Through agreements with hundreds of local operators, its platform provides seamless access to LTE-M, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks worldwide.
Today, Transatel connects millions of vehicles, machines, and consumer devices for brands such as Airbus, BMW, Stellantis, Air France, and Worldline. It is also behind Ubigi, an eSIM service designed for international travelers and mobile professionals.
Following the event, an exclusive conversation with the Transatel team offered deeper insight into how their technology applies to the built environment, particularly where energy use and maintenance now intersect with architectural design.
Turning Building Data into Action
For Transatel, smart buildings start with a simple principle: you can’t manage what you can’t measure. The company’s IoT connectivity is already being used by Equans, which manages energy and building services for large facilities across Europe. Equans relies on Transatel’s cellular network to connect sensors that track everything from energy consumption and heating to water and air conditioning, which are systems that keep a building both comfortable and operational.
“At the end of the day, we help them gather the critical data from the building itself,” says Cédric Jarkovski, Director of Product Development and IoT Marketing. “Through cellular connectivity, we can gather information from the sensors and detect anomalies before they become real problems.”
This real-time monitoring enables predictive maintenance, one of the most tangible benefits of connected infrastructure. As Jarkovski explains:
“Our systems can detect small irregularities–something that’s not down yet, but not working perfectly either. Based on that data, we can trigger preventive actions so the maintenance team can check the specific device before it fails. That means less downtime for occupants, lower costs for managers, and a more efficient building overall.”
Although Transatel works primarily with operators and service providers rather than architects directly, the link to design is clear. Integrating IoT devices and connectivity from the outset allows these systems to function seamlessly once a building is occupied. Thinking about this as early as the design stage, after all, only makes everything smoother.
Designing Offices that Think for Themselves
As buildings evolve toward higher environmental standards and more flexible ways of working, connectivity plays a key role in helping them think and react in real time. At its core, Transatel’s role is to ensure that the networks connecting these smart systems remain reliable and flexible.
According to Jarkovski, smart connectivity makes it possible for buildings to adapt their energy use and comfort levels to how spaces are actually occupied, taking into consideration the consumption of essential systems like heating, air conditioning, and water.
“For example, small sensors can detect if certain zones or even individual desks are empty. Based on that, lighting, air conditioning, or other critical systems can automatically adjust or switch off, which is a great way to save energy.”
This kind of adaptive infrastructure, he adds, is increasingly tied to environmental standards such as HQE and the RE2020 regulations in France.
“These systems can improve the environmental quality of the building and make it easier to obtain certifications. They also increase the perceived value of the property, whether it’s an office or a residential project. Yes, there’s an extra cost when integrating these devices early in the design, but there’s also extra value,” he says.
Flexibility Without Disruption
Another theme that emerged, both at IBS Paris and the follow-up conversation, is the growing demand for control and flexibility. More clients want the ability to steer their own connectivity, choosing networks or service profiles depending on the site and its needs. Transatel’s approach is to enable resilience without undermining existing ecosystems.
“Operators often fear losing control, but our role is not to replace them. It’s to help their customers succeed with smarter, more resilient connectivity. Innovation doesn’t have to mean disruption for disruption’s sake,” Jarkovski said.
This flexibility has already attracted large industrial clients and long-standing IT players such as Cisco, which now embeds Transatel’s eSIM connectivity directly into its hardware solutions, allowing enterprises to activate and configure secure LTE/5G connectivity that is “out of the box.”
For architects and designers, the takeaway is increasingly clear: connectivity is becoming a design material. Systems that can monitor, adapt, and predict are now essential for meeting new environmental standards and creating spaces that adjust to the people who inhabit them.
