This report provides analysis of the global MVNO marketplace segmented by region and country including MVNO type, hosting network, services and business models. It provides an assessment of MVNO supporting technologies, MVNO types, and business models. The report also analyzes the keys to success by MVNO type and strategy.
Report Benefits:
- Assess the competitive MVNO marketplace in your service area
- Identify leading MVNO providers, strategies and service offerings
- Compare your MVNO start-up plans to similar services and/or business models
- Excellent complement to the MVNO Business Plan and Financial Modeling Tool
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a wireless service provider that delivers mobile service to customers without actually owning network infrastructure. An MVNO makes business arrangements with the mobile network operator (infrastructure owner) and gains access to network services, which the MVNO then leverages to provide services to end-users.
A sampling of some of the most successful global MVNO companies includes the following:
- Lycamobile (23 countries) Lycamobile is a global MVNO that provides mobile services in 23 countries, including the UK, USA, and South Africa. It is one of the largest MVNOs in the world, with over 16 million subscribers. Lycamobile is known for its affordable international calling rates and its wide range of prepaid plans.
- Consumer Cellular (USA) Consumer Cellular is a US-based MVNO that provides mobile services to over 5 million subscribers. It is known for its affordable plans, its focus on customer service, and its wide range of devices, including smartphones, flip phones, and tablets. Consumer Cellular also offers a variety of plans for seniors, families, and businesses.
- Lebara (10 countries) Lebara is a global MVNO that provides mobile services in 10 countries, including the UK, France, Germany, and Spain. It is known for its affordable international calling rates and its focus on ethnic minority communities. Lebara also offers a variety of prepaid plans, including plans with unlimited data.
- PosteMobile (Italy) PosteMobile is an Italian MVNO that is owned by Poste Italiane, the Italian postal service. It is the largest MVNO in Italy, with over 10 million subscribers. PosteMobile offers a variety of prepaid and postpaid plans, as well as a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and routers.
- giffgaff (UK) giffgaff is a UK-based MVNO that is owned by O2. It is known for its affordable prices and its unique community-based approach. giffgaff customers can earn credit by helping other customers or by participating in online forums. giffgaff also offers a variety of prepaid and postpaid plans, as well as a variety of devices.
Successful MVNOs are those that position their operations so that customers do not distinguish any significant differences in service or network performance yet offer some special affinity to their customers. MVNO types evaluated in this report include Discount MVNOs, Lifestyle/Niche MVNOs, Media/Entertainment MVNOs, Ethnic MVNOs, Business MVNOs, Brand MVNOs, and Data MVNOs.
Major MVNO types are analyzed in this report as follows:
- Full MVNO: Responsible for the complete infrastructure, operations, customers, and data, and full control of services and products it delivers to the market, as well as flexibility in developing and deploying new services. The MNO supplies the network access. A full MVNO operates similar to an MNO, but without the MNO spectrum.
- Service Provider MVNO: Will either work under its brand or co-branded with the host operator (by adding 'Powered by' to the brand). In best cases, the MVNO provides a concept, brand, distribution channels or a large current client base to the table to be used to make sales, or differentiate from the competition.
- Enhanced Service Provider MVNO: Works under its own brand with its own SIM cards and can get its own numbering range/mobile network code, although not fully independent from the host operator's numbering plan. The MVNO can add its own value-added services, to leverage sales, or differentiate from the competition.
- Branded Reseller MVNO: Will either work under its own brand or co-branded with the MNO. In most cases, the branded reseller has a brand, distribution channels and/or a large existing client base to the table, from which it can enhance its sales. It is often the easiest MVNO type for an MNO to accept as the carrier can control most of the processes.
Variation between business models among MVNO types is due in part to differences with respect to their respective infrastructure ownership. For example, some MVNOs may use their own billing systems while others typically choose to outsource their billing functionality. Some MVNOs own intelligent software or hardware infrastructure that sit at the edge of the network allowing them to offer more advanced applications and services.
Why have MVNOs been so successful globally?
There are several key values to consumers of using a MVNO rather than a legacy wireless carrier:
- Lower Cost: MVNOs typically offer lower-cost plans than legacy carriers. This is because they don't have to own and maintain their own network infrastructure, and they can negotiate lower wholesale rates from the major carriers.
- More Flexibility: MVNOs often offer more flexible plans than legacy carriers, with a variety of options to choose from, such as pay-as-you-go, no-contract, and month-to-month plans. This makes it easier for consumers to find a plan that fits their needs and budget.
- Better Customer Service: MVNOs often have smaller customer bases than legacy carriers, which allows them to provide more personalized and attentive customer service.
- Focus on Specific Niches: MVNOs can tailor their plans and services to specific niches, such as families, seniors, or travelers. This can provide consumers with more value and features than they would find with a legacy carrier.
In addition to the above, MVNOs are also often more innovative than legacy carriers. They are more likely to offer new and unique features, such as the ability to use multiple phone numbers on the same device or to share data with other users. Overall, MVNOs can be a great value for consumers who are looking for a more affordable, flexible, and innovative mobile phone service.
Companies in Report: