Filed in archive Mobile Services by Rico Mossesgeld on October 2, 2007

If you've been reading news about Disney Mobile's failure, you may be wondering just what MVNO means.

A Mobile Virtual Network Operator provides mobile service (voice and/or data) just like your typical service operator. The difference is that an MVNO doesn't own the rights to the radio frequencies needed to transmit cellular traffic, and doesn't own all the hardware needed to make the setup work (including the cell towers, cables, switching stations, etc.).

Instead, an MVNO rents or leases these, usually from companies who actually own the frequencies and infrastructure. Despite the recent high-profile failures of Helio and Amp'd Mobile (both are MVNOs) and of course, Disney Mobile and Mobile ESPN, MVNOs are actually doing quite well, with over 200 in existence around the world today. Check out mobilevirtualnetwork.co.uk for more details.

Related Entries:

Mobile ESPN: The Death of an MVNO - 28 September 2006
Introducing Vonage Wireless? - 20 February 2007
Sonopia: DIY Mobile - 26 May 2007
More MVNO Trouble: Amp'd Files for Bankruptcy - 03 June 2007

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Permalink: What is an MVNO?

Tags: What+is+MVNO MVNO Mobile+Virtual+Network+Operator mobile 2007 windows+mobile october+2007 ming+a1200

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