A mobile virtual network operator (MvNO) is a telecommunication service provider that does not have its network infrastructure to provide services to customers. Instead, it offers mobile phone services to its customers using the leased infrastructure of an established mobile network operator (MNO). Simply put, these service providers “resell” the services of other mobile network operators.
Understanding the Role of MvNOs:
Unlike conventional network operators, a mobile virtual network operator leases a third-party infrastructure to provide a particular set of services to their customers.
For this, MvNO purchases calling minutes from a leading mobile network operator (MNO), at a wholesale rate. Later, MvNO resells them at comparatively lower prices to their customers. Many UK MvNOs resell services on a variety of networks.
Now that a MvNO has a mobile virtual network that is leased from other network providers, it saves the cost of building and maintenance of the whole infrastructure. Therefore, a MvNO can afford to offer comparatively lower call rates to its customers. Furthermore, their cheaper overhead allows them to spend more on marketing and promotions; thus attracting more customers.
MvNO might lack some of the key features offered by the original mobile network provider. However, they usually compensate by offering special deals and plans for their customers.
Exclusive features of MvNOs:
Here is how UK MvNOs work to offer services to their customers:
Leased infrastructure – to be able to offer services to their customers, MvNOs ‘rent’ physical network infrastructure of an established network provider. In addition to leased infrastructure, they also buy data, call minutes, and add-on at wholesale prices.
Branding – a MvNO establishes itself as a brand and targets specific groups of customers for their services.
Offering provision services – most often a mobile virtual network operator has their own exclusive plans, billing system, subscriber management, and customer care team.
Flexible and personalized plans– MvNOs generally offer unique offerings, discounts, and services to cater to the different needs of customers.
The impact of MvNOs on the telecommunication market:
The emergence of MvNOs in the telecommunication landscape in the late 1990s was limited to a few service providers who primarily targeted specific interest groups of customers.
Over time, MvNOs have made their mark in the industry. They have a strong customer base mainly because of the quality of services, competitive prices, exclusive add-ons, and dedicated customer support.
Today, these virtual network providers have a significant position in the telecommunication market. They are driving competition, offering personalized plans at affordable and market-competitive rates and ensuring the quality of services.
Make a smart choice with Xinix.
Here at Xinix, we offer prepaid wireless plans on a subscription basis. All of our plans offer inclusive UK and US minutes, depending on your choice. The minutes include calls made to regular landline numbers and mobile numbers, while exclusive of calls to mobile virtual network operator numbers as well as some national, local, and service numbers.
At Xinix, we try to include as many UK MvNOs in our plans as we can; as long as the standard call charges remain the same. Additionally, some of the numbers which have been assigned standard charges initially may have their prices increased at any time, meaning we will no longer be covering that in your subscription plan.
Read More: Constant Growth of the Mobile VoIP Market to Watch Out
Benefits of Mobile virtual network operators:
Affordability – given that a MvNO leases the network infrastructure of an established network provider; it saves their overhead cost. Thus, they can offer subscription plans at lower rates, making it an ideal choice for those with limited budgets.
Flexible plans – though they might miss some of the key features provided by the original network operator, MvNOs still offer flexible plans to customers tailored as per their needs.
Exclusive deals and add-ons – another benefit of MvNOs is that they often offer exclusive deals, discounts, and add-ons for their customers.
What mobile network operators are classified as MvNOs in the UK?
A mobile virtual network operator does not have the infrastructure to provide services to its customers. A vast majority of UK MvNOs belong to this category of service providers.
Furthermore, most mobile virtual network operators have their billing system, marketing strategies, customer support team, and so on. This is why it is sometimes hard to identify that they are, in fact, MvNO.
Mobile virtual network operators and their respective network
The majority of UK MvNOs rely on leading network providers; Vodafone, EE, Three, and O2.
Here is the list of UK mobile networks and their respective mobile virtual network operators so you can understand MvNOs and whose underlying infrastructure they are using for their services:
| Brand (MNvO) | Host network(s) |
|---|---|
| 1pMobile | EE |
| 360Coms Telecom | Three |
| 365 Mobile | O2, Vodafone |
| AfriMobile | Three |
| AlwaysOnline Wireless | Three |
| Anywhere Care Ownfone (Formerly Age UK Ownfone) | Vodafone |
| Anywhere Sim | O2, Vodafone, EE, Three |
| Asda Mobile | EE |
| Auracall Travel Talk | EE |
| Axis Telecom | EE |
| BT Mobile | EE |
| BT Onephone (BTOP) | EE |
| C4C Mobile | EE |
| Call & Give | EE |
| Champions Mobile | O2 |
| CMLink | EE |
| CTExcel | EE |
| Ctrl Mobile | Three |
| CUniq | O2 |
| Econet Mobile | EE |
| Ecotalk | EE |
| ETS Mobile | EE |
| Fonome Mobile | O2 |
| FreedomPop | Three |
| Gamma Telecom | Three |
| giffgaff | O2 |
| Globalgig | Three |
| HP Mobile Connect | EE |
| i3 Mobile | EE |
| iD Mobile | Three |
| JOi Telecom | Three |
| Jump | O2, Vodafone, EE, Three |
| KC Mobile | O2 |
| Lebara Mobile | Vodafone |
| Lycamobile | O2 |
| Meem Mobile | EE |
| NordTelekom | EE |
| Now PAYG | EE |
| Pebble Mobile Network | O2, Vodafone, EE, Three |
| Plusnet Mobile | EE |
| Rok Mobile | Three |
| RWG Mobile | Three |
| Sky Mobile | O2 |
| SMARTY | Three |
| Superdrug Mobile | Three |
| Talk Home Mobile | EE |
| Talkmobile | Vodafone |
| TalkTalk Mobile | O2 |
| TalkXtra Mobile | Vodafone |
| Telecom Plus | EE |
| Telfoni | Three |
| Tesco Mobile | O2 |
| The Phone Co-op | EE |
| Toggle Mobile | O2 |
| Torica Mobile | O2 |
| Truphone | O2 |
| Vectone Mobile | EE |
| Virgin Mobile | EE |
| Vivio | Vodafone |
| VOXI | Vodafone |
| White Mobile | EE |
| Zevvle | EE |
