Mobile Virtual Network Operator
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A Mobile Virtual Network Operator is a company that does not own a licensed frequency spectrum, but resells wireless services under their own brand name, using the network of another mobile phone operator.
An MVNO's roles and relationship to the mobile phone operator vary by market. In general an MVNO is an entity or company that works independently of the operator and can set its own tariff structures. Usually, it does not own any GSM infrastructure, such as Mobile Switching Center (MSC) or a radio access network. Some may own their own Home Location Register (HLR), which allows more flexibility since multiple host networks could be used, and the MVNO appears as a roaming partner.
According to Wireless World Forum, there are two classifications of MVNOs:
- Discount MVNOs provide cut-price call rates to market segments that offer less revenues per customer. Sometimes this is the sub-prime market (i.e. those with little credit-rating). Discount MVNOs include Virgin and EasyMobile. Their strategy is based on cheap prepaid tariffs with little or no data offering beyond SMS.
- Lifestyle MVNOs focus on specific niche market demographics that larger operators overlook. MVNOs such as Boost Mobile and AMP'D (both founded by the same person) in the US, market entirely to young users.
List of MVNOs
- Virgin Mobile
- Boost Mobile
- Amp'd (http://www.ampd.com/)
- Telmore (http://www.telmore.dk/)
- EasyMobile (http://www.easymobile.com/)
- Visage Mobile (http://www.visagemobile.com/)
- CallPlus (http://callpluswireless.com/)
- Primus Wireless (http://www.primuswireless.com/)
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