Global Mobile Virtual Network Operators 2023: MVNO Market by Country, Type, and Business Model

Global Mobile Virtual Network Operators 2023: MVNO Market by Country, Type, and Business Model

Overview:

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:

Access Wireless

Aerovoyce

Affinity Mobile

Afone Mobile

Africa

Africell

Afrihost

AH Mobiel

AICom

Airmob

Airtel

AirVoice Wireless

Aiva Mobile

Aldi Mobile Swiss

Aldi Talk

ALDImobile

Alestra Movil

Algar Telecom

Ali Telecom

Allo Incognito

Allvoi Wireless

AlmaTel Mexico

Amaysim

America Net

amobile

Annex Telecom

Aqua Mobil

AsahiNet

Asda Mobile

AT&T

AT&T Mexico

au

Auchan Mobile

Avido

Awasr

Ay Yildiz

B-Mobile

BAIT

Baltcom

Banglalink

Base

Bazile Telecom

Beast Mobile

Beeline

Bell Mobility

Belong

BEN

Berrymobile

Best Cellular

BH Telecom

BIC Sim

Biglobe

BildConnect

Billitel

Birdie Mobile

Bite

Bitel

Black Wireless

Blau

BLESK Mobil

Blue Light Mobile

Blue Wireless

Blueface

Bob

Bob Mobil

Bolivia

BonBon

boom! MOBILE

Boost Mobile

Bouygues Telecom

Bredband

Bredbandsson

Breitband Ch

BrnkackaTEL

BSNL

BT Mobile

BTC

Budget Mobile

Budget Phone

Bueno cell

CableMovil

Cabletica

Caiway

Call me

Callmobile

CallPro

Cansel Connect

Caritas Laczy

Carrefour

Catch Connect

Catel

CBB Mobile

Cell C

Cellip

CellNUVO

Cellular Abroad

Central America

Centropol Telecom

Chatr Mobile

CherryPrepaid

Chilimobil

China Mobile

China Mobile Hong Kong

China Mobile International

China Telecom

China Unicom

China Unicom Hong Kong

China-Hong Kong Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom

CIC Mobile

Ciel Telecom

Cierto

Cinco

CirclesLife

Cityfone

Citymesh

Citynet

Claro

Claro Brazil

Claro Colombia

Clear Mobile

Cloud Communications

Club Budget

Club Serenite

CMLink

Coles Mobile

Commander

Community Phone

Comtalk

Conectabalear

Congstar

Consumer Cellular

CoolTel

Coop Mobile

CoopMobile

COOPVoce

Corasta

Coriolis Telecom

Cosmote

Cotas Movil

CREDO Mobile

Cricket Wireless

Crédit Mutuel Mobile

CTExcelbiz

Cubic Telecom

Cuy Móvil

Czech Mobile

Daily Telecom

Daktela

DanDial

Das Abo

DataJack

DataXoom

Datora

DCI Wireless

degrees

Delight Mobile

Destiny

Deutsche Telekom

Dialog Telekom

Digame

Digi

Digi Communications

Digi Communications Hungary

Digi Mobil

Digicel

Digital Island

Digital Republic

digitec connect

Dipper

Diri

Discotel

Dito Telecommunity

Djuice

DMM mobile

DNA Ojy

Dobruska

Dodo

Dotmobile

DPhone

Dragon

Drei

Drillisch

du

e-Lux Mobile

Easter Egg

Eastlink

Easy Telecom

Easytel Telefongesellschaft

Econet Wireless

Ecotalk

Edeka Smart

EDPnet

Educom

EE Limited

Eety

EI Telecom

EinfachPrepaid

EIRCom

Ekomobile

Eleven SpeakOut Wireless

Elimobile

Elisa

Ello Mobile

emart mobile

Embou

Emobiel

Emtecko

Enreach

Entel

enTouch Wireless

Epic

Equitel

Eri Mobile

Espresso

ETB

Etisalat

Euro Operator

Euronet

Euskaltel

Evercall

Evergreen Mobile Co

Execulink Mobility

Exetel

Exis

Expat Mobile

Externet

Extreme Connect

Eyagi

Eyesvision Co

Facilicom

Fakt Mobile

Far EasTone

Fast Mobile

Fastweb

Fayn

Feder Mobile

Feels

Fello

Fenercell

Fibracat

Fido

Finn Mobile

Firstcom

Fixnet

Fizz Mobile

Fjordkraft Mobil

FL Mobile

Flash Mobile

Flash Mobile (ACN)

Flash Móvil

Flash Wireless

FM Group Mobile

FNB Connect

Fonia

Fonic

FP Net

Fraenk

Free

Free Mobile

Free T

Freedom Mobile

FreedomPop

Freenet

Freenet Flex

FreeUP Mobile

FRiENDi Mobile

Frog Mobile

FunFon

Future Power

Fyve

Gamers Mobile

Ge org

Geenet

Gen Mobile

Giffgaff

Giga

Giganet

Global

GlobalTel

Globe Telecom

Globitel

Gmobile

Go

GoMo

GoMobil

goodgo

GoodGo Mobile

Google Fi

Goood

Gotanet

Grameenphone

Grid Mobile

Gron Telekom

GTD Móvil

GTI

GTS Mobil

Ha-loo

Halebop

Halla Mobil

Hallon

Haloo

Happybytes

Hayo Telecom

Helder Telecom

Help Mobile

her Mobile

Heroo Mobile

Hexatel

Heyah

Hip Mobil

Hits mobile

HKBN

HO Wireless

HoDo Mobile

Hollandsnieuwe

HomeNet Technologies

homobile

Hong Kong Telecom (HKT)

Hot

Hot Hofer Telecom

Hrvatski Telekom

HT Eronet

HTP mobil

Hub One

Humans

i Mobile

Ibon Mobile

Ice

iCentrex

iClickmobile

iD Mobile

IENTC movil

IIJ Mobile

Iliad Italia

IMC Networks

Imowi

Indochina Telecom

Inea

Infracom

Inkk Mobile

Innogy Mobil

Intellinet

Intertelecom

Inwi

Inxel

ION Mobile

IP Nexia

iPrimus

ITI Neovision/ Canal Plus

Iway

Izzi Movil

Ja Mobil

Jambox Mobile

Japan Communications

Jazztel

Jethro Mobile

Jetnet

Jiayu Mobile

Jim Mobile

Jio

JOi Telecom

Jolt Mobile

Joy Telecom

Joymobile

Juro

K Telecom

ka

Kabelplus

Kajeet

Karma

Kaufland Mobil

KC Mobile

Kena Mobile

Kertel Enterprises

KidsConnect

Klarmobilde

Klokan mobil

Klucz Mobile

Knet

Kogan Mobile

Kometsi Telecommunications

Koodo Mobile

KORE Wireless

Koruna Mobile

KPN

Kroger Wireless

Krone Mobile

KT Corporation

KT M Mobile

Kurier Mobil

Kwikki

Kyivstar

Kölbi

L-Mobi Mobile

La Poste Mobile

La Poste Tunisienne

Ladybug Wireless

Lajt Mobile

Lama Mobile

LCR-Telecom

Lcrom

Le French Mobile

Lebara

Legos

Lemonvil

Lenovo Connect

Leofone

Leucom Mobil

LG HelloVision

LG Uplus

Liberty

Liberty Wireless

Lidl Connect

Life Wireless

Lifecell

LiivM

Line Mobile

Lively

Liwest Mobil

LMT

Lobster

Lowi

Loxley

Lucky Mobile

Lucymobile

Luxembourg Online

Lycamobile

Lycamobile Spain
M
M-budget Mobile

M-Net

m:tel

M:tel Austria

Macquarie Telecom Mobile

Madstar Mobile

Magenta Telekom

Magyar Telekom

Majan Telecom

Makedonski Telekom

Mamutnet

Mango Mobile

Maroc Telecom

Mascom

Mate

Maxcom

Maxitel

Maxxim

MCN Telecom

Me

Me&You Mobile

Media Markt Mobil

MegaFon

Melita

MEO

Metro

Metronet

Metroport

MetTel Mobile

Miio

Mineo

Mingla Mobil

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile (Budget Mobile)

Mit Tele

Mittel

Mixtus

MM Mobile

Mobal

Mobicast

MobiFone

moBig

Mobiho Essentiel

Mobil

Mobil od ČEZ

Mobilcz

Mobile

Mobile Vikings

MobilFree

Mobilka

Mobily

Mobing

MobiUZ

Moche

Modra Simka

Moi

Moico

Moose Mobile

Movistar

MTel Switzerland

MTN

MTNL

MTS

MTX Connect

Multibyte

Multimedia Polska

MyAFMobile

MyCall

MyRepublic

Móvil Éxito

Nadunet

Nau Mobile

Neibo

Nej Mobil

Nemi

net+

NetAachen

NETatONCE

Netbox Mobil

NetBuddy

NetCologne

Netia

Netline

Netllar

Netoip Mobile

netTALK CONNECT

Nettokom

Networth Telecom

Netzclub

NetZero

Never Throttled

Next Level Telecom (NLT)

Next Mobile

Nifmo

Njumobile

Noitel Mobile

Nord Telekom

Nordic TeleCom

Norway

NOS

Nova Mobil

Novum

Now PAYG

NRJ Mobile

NTT

NTT Communications

NTT Docomo

Nuro Mobile
O
Oceana, Pacific

Ocean’s

Odorikcz

Oi

Olephone

Omantel

One Bill Global

One Call

One Central

Onmovil

OnStar

Ooredoo

Ooredoo Oman

Optima Mobile

Optimum

Optus

Orange

Orange Belgium

Orange Botswana

Orange España

Orange Morocco

Orange Polska

Orange Romania

Orange Slovensko

Orcon

Oroc

Ortel Mobile

Oskarta

OtavaNet

Otelo

OTR Mobile

Otvarta

Oui

Ozone

Paritel

Parlem

Patriot Mobile

PC Mobile

Penguin

Penny Mobil

Pennytel

PEOPLEnet

Pepephone

Petro-Canada Mobility

Phonero

Pillofon

Pix Wireless

Plancom

Play

Plintron

Plus

plus Mobiel

Plusnet

pMobile

Pocos

Poda

POND Mobile

Popit Mobile

Populoos

Post

Premium Mobile

PremiumSim

Primacall

Primamobile

Primastrom

Primus Wireless

PrioCom

Prixtel

Promobile

Proven Services

Proximus

PSB Network

PTV Telecom

Public Mobile

Pulse Cellular

Puppy Wireless

Pure Talk

Q-tel

QBo Cel

Quickline Mobil

Rabona

Radost

Raiffeisen Mobile

Rain

Rakuten Mobile

Rapid Mobil

Reach Mobile

Ready Mobile

RED

Red Bull Mobile

Red Compartida

Red Pocket Mobile

RedOne

Redone Mobile

Redworks

Reglo Mobile

Relax Mobil

Renna Mobile

Republic Wireless

Rete Mobile

Reward Mobile

Roam Telecom

Robi

Rogers Communications

Rossman Mobile

Rostelecom

S Mobile

S-Budget-Mobile

Safaricom

Safelink

SafeLink Wireless

SafetyNet Wireless

Saga Mobil

SAK mobil

Sakura Mobile

Salam Mobile

Salt Mobile

Sasag

SaskTel

Saturn

Sauron

SazkaMobil

SB Telecom

Sbermobile

Scarlet Telecom

Scratch Wireless

Seawolf Wireless

Selectel Wireless

Sercomtel

Sewan Communications

SFR

Shaw Mobile

Si, Pronto

Sim+

Simde

Simfonie

SIMon Mobile

Simpa

Simpati

Simpel

Simple

SIMply

SimplyConnect

Simyo

Singtel

Sipgate

SK Mobile

SK Telecom

SK Telink

Skinny Mobile

SKY

Sky Mobile

Skyfone

Skynet Russia

Slingshot

Slovak Telekom

Slovakia

Smart Communications

Smartel

Smartmobil

Smartmobile

SmarTone

SMARTY

Softbank Group

Softnet

Sollie

Soluno

Sosh

Southern Phone

Soy Movil

Spain

Spar Mobil

Sparhandyde

Spark

SpeakUp

SpeedTalk Mobile

Spintel

Sprint

Spusu

Spusu Mobile

Standard Bank Mobile

StandUp Wireless

StarHub

StarTEL

STC

Stella Telecom

Suma Móvil Chile

Suma Móvil Colombia

Suma Móvil Peru

Sun Cellular

Sun Mobile

Sunrise

Suop

Superdrug Mobile

Surf Telecom

swb

Swisscom

Switzerland

Swyp

Swype

Syma Mobile

T STAR

T-

T-Mobile

T-Mobile Czech Republic

TAG Mobile

Taiwan Mobile

Talkmobile

Talkmore

TalkTalk

TAM ONE

Tangerine Telecom

Tango

Tarifhaus

Tarr Kft

Tchibo Mobil

TDC

TelCel

Tele

Tele Columbus

Tele Russia

Telecable

Telecall

Telechoice

Telecom

Telecom Personal

Teledema

Telefonica-Movistar

Telekom Slovenije

Telelo

Telemach

Telemach Hrvatska

Teleman

Telenatie

Telenor

Telestica

Telestrada

Teletalk

Teletek

Telewizja Kablowa Chopin

Telgam

Telgen

Telia

Telin

Telio

Telipol

TelKom

Telkom Kenya

tell

Tellink

Tello Mobile

Telmore

Telness

Telstra

Teltik

Telus

Tempo Wireless

TerraCom Wireless

Tesco Mobile

Tesix Wireless

TextNow

The Phone Co-op

The Unlimited

Think Mobile

Three (Denmark)

Three Ireland

Three UK

Tigo

TIM Brasil

TIM Italy

Ting

Tinkoff Mobile

Tiscali

TM

TNG

tnMobil

TNT

To the Moon

Tomato

Ton

Toya

Trace Mobile

Tre

TriMob

TruConnect

Truphone

TTQ Mobil

tuBiedronka

Tuenti Movil

Tunisie Telecom

Turkcell

Tuyo Broadband

Twigby

Türk Telekom

U Mobile

Ubigi

UCell

Ukraine

Ultra Mobile

Unifique

Unifon

United Telecom

Unitymedia

Unotel

Unreal Mobile

Unwired Fiji

UPC Poland

Uplussave

US Mobile

Utility Warehouse

Uzmobile

UZO

V-Tell

Vasanta

Vaya

Vecto Mobile

Vectone Mobile

Vectra

Verizon

VFC Mobile

Vi

Vianova

Vidanet

Videotron

Vietnamobile

Viettel Mobile

Vimla

Vinaphone

Virgin Media Ireland

Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile Saudi Arabia

Virgin Plus

Visible

Viva

Vivifi

Vivo

VivoBee

Vodacom

Vodafone

Vodafone Australia

Vodafone España

Vodafone GmBH

Vodafone Greece

Vodafone Hungary

Vodafone Island

Vodafone Italy

Vodafone Netherlands

Vodafone Oman

Vodafone Romania

Vodafone Turkey

Vodafone UK

Vodafone Ukraine

Voice Net

VOLmobil

Voo

VOXI

Vozelia

VTB Mobile

VTR Móvil

VTX

Waoo Mobil

Warehouse Mobile

Warid

Weex Mobile

Whatsapp SIMPrepaid

Wichi

Wifog

Willytel

Win

Wind Hellas

WindTre

Wingo

WinSim

Withu

WOM

Wowww

Wundle Mobile

Xfinity Mobile

XOX Mobile

XOXO

Xplora Mobile

Yallo

Yesss!

Yettel Hungary

Yettel Serbia

Yezzz!

Ymobile

Yoigo

Yomojo

Yooopi

Yorn

Yota

Youfone

Youmobile

Yourfone

Yu

Yuantel

Zadarma

Zain

Zluta simka

Zoomer Wireless

Zuny