Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)

A Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a reseller of wireless communications services. MVNOs lease wireless capacity, such as minutes or data bandwidth, from a third-party MNO at wholesale prices and resell it to consumers at retail prices. They operate under their own brand, and customers may not always be aware that they are using a network owned by a different company. MVNOs can afford to offer competitive or discounted retail prices due to their cost-efficient solutions for specific customer groups or niche markets.

MVNOs, unlike MNOs, do not own wireless network infrastructure, but may use their own customer service, billing support systems, marketing, and sales personnel, or they could employ the services of a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE)[2][4][6].

MVNOs can be categorized based on the level of service and infrastructure they manage, ranging from full MVNOs, which have their own core network infrastructure but not the physical radio networks, to branded reseller MVNOs, which have the least control and primarily focus on marketing, sales, and customer service under their brand name while the host MNO manages all technical operations[2][4].

Citations:

[1] https://www.techopedia.com/definition/27804/mobile-network-operator-mno

[2] https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/mobile-virtual-network-operator-MVNO

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_network_operator

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

[5] https://www.infobip.com/glossary/mno-mobile-network-operator

[6] https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/networking/articles/mobile-virtual-network-operator/amp/

[7] https://nordvpn.com/cybersecurity/glossary/mobile-network-operator/

[8] https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/mvnos-what-are-they-and-what-are-the-best-options

[9] https://www.dialogic.com/glossary/mobile-network-operator-mno

[10] https://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2001/08/mvno.html

[11] https://freeeway.com/what-is-an-mno-mobile-network-operator/

[12] https://www.korewireless.com/news/mvnos-benefits-challenges-and-how-to-overcome-them

[13] https://www.simoniot.com/difference-in-mno-mvno-mvne-mvna/

[14] https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/What-is-a-MVNO

[15] https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/mno-mobile-network-operator

[16] https://www.avsystem.com/blog/iot/mvno-mobile-virtual-network-operator/