ONATi
ONATi is a French Polynesian telecommunications provider offering fixed-line, mobile, and broadband services.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
ONATi is a telecommunications provider serving French Polynesia. Its business covers fixed-line telephony, mobile communications, and broadband connectivity, making it one of the principal communications operators in the territory. The company operates as a subsidiary of Office des postes et télécommunications (OPT), the state-owned postal and telecommunications organization of French Polynesia. ONATi was created in 2013 through the merger of three OPT subsidiaries: Tikiphone, the group's mobile operator; TNS; and Mana. The consolidation brought several telecommunications activities under a single corporate structure. The ONATi name was derived from the crimson-backed tanager, a bird that had been used in Tikiphone's branding since 1995. In the month of its creation, the company announced the deployment of fourth-generation mobile technology in Papeete, marking an early effort to modernize its network and expand high-speed mobile access. The company's formation coincided with a major change in the competitive environment. Shortly after ONATi was established, the former OPT monopoly over mobile services ended when Vodafone entered the French Polynesian market. ONATi therefore developed within a regulated telecommunications market where network investment, pricing, interconnection, and competition policy were important strategic issues. In 2018, the Polynesian Competition Authority found that ONATi's Vini mobile business had engaged in unfair and anticompetitive practices. The authority cited discriminatory pricing for SMS messages exchanged between different networks and exclusive arrangements involving prepaid cards. It ordered the company to end those practices within three months. The case became an important regulatory episode in the development of competition in French Polynesian telecommunications. ONATi was reorganized and renamed in 2019. The reorganization was followed by leadership changes and financial pressure. Chief executive Yannick Teriierooiterai was dismissed in July 2021 after poor financial results. His successor, Thomas Lefebvre-Segard, was dismissed in December 2022 for similar performance-related reasons and was replaced by Christophe Bergues. The company remained a significant participant in the territory's economy. In 2022, it was ranked as the second-largest company in French Polynesia by turnover. Its position reflects the importance of telecommunications infrastructure in the islands, where reliable fixed, mobile, and broadband services are essential for households, businesses, public institutions, and connections between dispersed communities. Regulatory scrutiny continued in 2023. In April, the Polynesian Competition Authority imposed precautionary measures requiring ONATi to offer fair roaming charges to Viti. The measure concerned the terms on which customers could use services across networks and demonstrated that wholesale and inter-operator pricing remained central issues for the company. ONATi's current profile is therefore shaped by three overlapping roles: a commercial telecommunications operator, a subsidiary of a state-owned utility, and a major regulated infrastructure provider in French Polynesia.
History
ONATi emerged from the consolidation of several telecommunications activities belonging to Office des postes et télécommunications (OPT) of French Polynesia. Before ONATi was formed, OPT operated through subsidiaries including Tikiphone, TNS, and Mana. Tikiphone had used the crimson-backed tanager as part of its identity since 1995, and that association supplied the basis for the ONATi name. In 2013, Tikiphone, TNS, and Mana were merged to create ONATi. The new company was intended to bring fixed-line, mobile, and broadband activities into a more unified telecommunications organization. During the same month, ONATi announced plans to deploy 4G technology in Papeete, signaling a shift toward faster mobile data services in the territory's principal urban center. The creation of ONATi took place as French Polynesia's telecommunications market was opening to competition. Soon after the merger, Vodafone entered the local mobile market, ending OPT's previous monopoly. ONATi consequently had to operate both as the incumbent communications provider associated with the public telecommunications system and as a commercial operator facing a new private competitor. Regulatory concerns became a significant part of the company's history. In June 2018, the Polynesian Competition Authority concluded that ONATi's Vini business had engaged in unfair and anticompetitive conduct. The authority identified discriminatory pricing for SMS traffic sent between different networks and exclusive arrangements for prepaid cards. It gave the company three months to terminate those practices. The episode underscored the importance of interconnection and retail distribution rules in a small, concentrated telecommunications market. ONATi was reorganized in 2019 and renamed as part of that process. The company continued to provide fixed-line, mobile, and broadband services under the OPT group while managing the commercial and operational effects of increased competition. Leadership instability followed. Yannick Teriierooiterai was dismissed as chief executive in July 2021 after poor financial results. Thomas Lefebvre-Segard, who succeeded him, was dismissed in December 2022 for similar reasons. Christophe Bergues then took over as chief executive. Despite the financial difficulties associated with the leadership changes, ONATi remained economically important. In 2022, it was ranked as the second-largest company in French Polynesia by turnover. Its scale reflects the strategic role of communications networks across the territory's islands and the continued importance of mobile, fixed, and broadband connectivity to residents, businesses, and public services. In April 2023, the Polynesian Competition Authority took precautionary measures against ONATi. The measures required the company to provide fair roaming charges to Viti, indicating continued regulatory attention to the conditions under which rival networks interact. This later action built on the earlier scrutiny of inter-network SMS and prepaid-card practices. ONATi's history is consequently defined by institutional consolidation, technological upgrades, market liberalization, public-sector ownership, executive turnover, and continuing competition regulation.
- 2023
Precautionary roaming measures imposed
[1]The Polynesian Competition Authority ordered ONATi to provide fair roaming charges to Viti.
- 2022
Thomas Lefebvre-Segard is dismissed
[1]Lefebvre-Segard was dismissed in December for similar financial-performance reasons and replaced by Christophe Bergues.
- 2021
Yannick Teriierooiterai leaves the chief executive role
[1]Teriierooiterai was dismissed in July following poor financial results.
- 2019
Reorganization and renaming
[1]The company was reorganized and renamed ONATi.
- 2018
Competition authority rules against Vini practices
[1]The Polynesian Competition Authority found discriminatory SMS pricing and exclusive prepaid-card arrangements to be unfair and anticompetitive.
- 2013
ONATi is formed through an OPT subsidiary merger
[1]Tikiphone, TNS, and Mana were merged to establish ONATi as a consolidated telecommunications provider.
- 2013
4G deployment announced for Papeete
[1]ONATi announced the deployment of fourth-generation mobile technology in Papeete.
- 2013
Vodafone enters the French Polynesian mobile market
[1]Vodafone's entry ended the OPT group's previous monopoly over mobile services and created a more competitive market for ONATi.
- 1995
Tikiphone adopts crimson-backed tanager branding
[1]The crimson-backed tanager began to be used in Tikiphone's branding; the association later informed the ONATi name.
Products and positioning
A major, state-owned-group telecommunications operator serving French Polynesia across fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and related network services.
Mobile telecommunications
Vini
Vini is ONATi's mobile telecommunications business. It provides mobile connectivity and related services in French Polynesia and has been central to the company's position in the territory's mobile market. Vini operated first in a market associated with OPT's mobile-service monopoly and later competed with Vodafone and Viti. Its pricing, inter-network messaging, prepaid-card distribution, and roaming arrangements have been subject to competition-law scrutiny.
Fixed telecommunications · 2013
Fixed-line telephone services
ONATi provides fixed-line telephone services as part of its broader telecommunications portfolio. These services originated within the OPT group structures consolidated into ONATi and complement the company's mobile and broadband operations. Specific product names, tariffs, and technical specifications are not identified in the supplied reference material.
Internet access · 2013
Broadband internet
Broadband is one of ONATi's core service areas. The offering forms part of the company's integrated communications portfolio alongside fixed-line and mobile services, supporting internet access for consumers, businesses, and institutions in French Polynesia. The available reference does not specify individual broadband product names or access technologies.
Controversies
2018
Anticompetitive mobile pricing and prepaid-card arrangements
The Polynesian Competition Authority found that ONATi's Vini business used discriminatory pricing for SMS messages exchanged across networks and maintained exclusive contracts for prepaid cards. The authority required the company to end the practices within three months.
Brand decisions
2023
Provide fair roaming charges to VitiOtherBackground
The Polynesian Competition Authority examined the terms governing roaming and inter-operator access in the local telecommunications market.
Action taken
The authority imposed precautionary measures requiring ONATi to provide fair roaming charges to Viti.
Aftermath
The measure increased regulatory oversight of ONATi's dealings with a competing network.
2019
Reorganize and rename the companyStrategyBackground
The company was operating in a newly competitive market following Vodafone's entry into French Polynesia.
Action taken
ONATi was reorganized and adopted the ONATi name.
Aftermath
The reorganization established the company's current corporate identity within the OPT group.
2013
Deploy 4G technology in PapeeteProduct launchBackground
The newly formed company sought to modernize mobile connectivity in Papeete after the merger of several OPT telecommunications subsidiaries.
Action taken
ONATi announced the deployment of fourth-generation mobile technology in Papeete.
Aftermath
The announcement marked an early network-modernization step for the consolidated operator.
Recent events
- 2023
Competition authority orders fair roaming charges for Viti[1]
Regulation
The Polynesian Competition Authority imposed precautionary measures requiring ONATi to provide fair roaming charges to rival operator Viti.
- 2022
Thomas Lefebvre-Segard dismissed as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Thomas Lefebvre-Segard was dismissed in December after similarly poor financial performance and was succeeded by Christophe Bergues.
- 2022
ONATi ranked French Polynesia's second-largest company by turnover[1]
Other
ONATi was reported as the second-largest company in French Polynesia by turnover.
- 2021
Chief executive Yannick Teriierooiterai dismissed[1]
Leadership change
Yannick Teriierooiterai was removed as chief executive in July following poor financial results.
- 2019
ONATi undergoes reorganization and renaming[1]
Other
The company was reorganized and adopted the ONATi name as part of the restructuring of its telecommunications operations.
- 2013
ONATi announces 4G deployment in Papeete[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Following its creation, ONATi announced the deployment of fourth-generation mobile technology in Papeete.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/onati · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled