What is an MVNO?
What is an MNO? Who are the players in this sector? How long have they then been around? What do MVNOs offer and who do they target? Where do they operate? Who operates MVNOs and which networks partner with them? Many questions exist about MVNOs and with the release of Blycrofts MVNO Directory 2009 now is the time that many of these become answerable. Close to 400 operators are active in this market and a further 70 branded operations are acting as MVNOs. A further 90 operations could be launching soon and that does not include those in the making behind closed doors. But to start with, what is an MVNO? There are many theories and statements from the mobile industry defining what makes up an MVNO. Technical terms such as minutes of use and spectrum allocation are used in defining true MVNOs. The mainstream opinion of what makes an MVNO has simplified since the launch of the MVNO pioneers back in the late 90s. The most straight forward definition is, an MVNO is any mobile operator which
Large cellular networks will often enter into contracts with smaller companies to sublease licensed frequencies for reselling cellular service to a niche market. The smaller company is known as a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). There are many benefits a MVNO can provide to a much larger cellular service. The MVNO can customize its product to cater to a very distinct segment of the market. For example, Boost Mobile is a MVNO using the Sprint PCS network. Boost targets a young, hip, gadget-savvy demographic while Sprint PCS must cater to a wider demographic. Though Sprint PCS can’t afford to cater to very specific target markets, it can benefit indirectly from these markets by leasing its network to others that can. A network might also be underutilized in certain areas, especially as technology grows to meet faster data transfer demand. A MVNO might zero in on the area of new growth, helping to populate the network with that market segment that enjoys running ahead of the pack,
• What is an MNO? • Who are the players in this sector? • How long have they then been around? • What do MVNOs offer and who do they target? • Where do they operate? • Who operates MVNOs and which networks partner with them? Many questions exist about MVNOs and with the release of Blycroft’s MVNO Directory 2009 now is the time that many of these become answerable. Close to 400 operators are active in this market and a further 70 branded operations are acting as MVNOs. A further 90 operations could be launching soon and that does not include those in the making behind closed doors. But to start with, what is an MVNO? There are many theories and statements from the mobile industry defining what makes up an MVNO. Technical terms such as minutes of use and spectrum allocation are used in defining true MVNOs. The mainstream opinion of what makes an MVNO has simplified since the launch of the MVNO pioneers back in the late 90s. The most straight forward definition is, an MVNO is any mobile o
