Qualcomm and Teleepoch Enter Into a 3G CDMA Subscriber Unit License Agreement, October 6, 2007

MTN chooses Cambridge Broadband Networks for multi-service wireless network in Rwanda, October 6, 2007

Brazilian government to publish 3G bidding rules soon, October 6, 2007

KTF 3G service suffers from technical problems, October 6, 2007

Argentina’s Personal lunches 3G service in Rosario, October 6, 2007

Russia has it's first 3G network, October 6, 2007

AT&T could drop Alcatel-Lucent as 3G mobile network supplier, October 6, 2007

Enea Extends License Agreement with ZTE for 3G Handsets, October 2, 2007

LG to unveil premium handsets in Brazil, October 2, 2007

KTF 3G subscribers doubled in less than 3 months, October 2, 2007

3G policy in India will be non-uniform, October 2, 2007

- previous news

The Future of MVNOs in the 3G era - report

May 31, 2005

With over 100 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) launched since 1999 in Western Europe and over 30 present in the USA, mobile operators cannot ignore the impact that MVNOs are having on the market. MVNOs are taking significant market share (nearly one quarter of customers in Denmark, for example), and are increasing churn and subscriber acquisition costs in many markets. Also, because most MVNOs to date have focused on offering discounted voice services, they have increased price competition and lowered ARPU.

Regulatory environments are encouraging more MVNOs in developed mobile markets, but their relationships with mobile operators are changing substantially in the new 3G era. Mobile operators will need to develop strategies that maximise the benefits and minimise the threats of a new wave of MVNOs: record label Universal Music has established an MVNO in France, TV channel M6 and radio station NRJ each plan to set up MVNOs in France, and sports content provider ESPN (indirectly owned by Disney) plans an MVNO in the USA. Also a number of data-only MVNOs have emerged, including the Earthlink MVNO in the USA, with services designed to support mobile PCs and data devices such as the Blackberry.

These companies are among many featured in the report, in order to explain the impact of MVNOs to date, illustrate emerging trends, and demonstrate strategic lessons. The report also provides case studies of the development of MVNOs in country markets of Denmark, France, UK and USA, including details of all MVNOs in those countries.

The Future of MVNOs in the 3G era answers your key questions:

-- What has been the impact of MVNOs on market shares, ARPU, churn and customer acquisition costs?
-- What can we learn from MVNO activity to date?
-- How will 3G networks change the MVNO landscape, in terms of the number, types and industry impact?
-- What new types of MVNO will emerge to take advantage of 3G, and how will this affect mobile network operators and existing MVNOs?
-- Why are content owners, media channels and business-focused service providers interested in becoming --- MVNOs, and why should mobile network operators consider hosting them?
-- What types of organisation are best placed to become MVNOs in the 3G era?
-- How must existing MVNOs, new 3G entrants and established mobile operators modify their MVNO strategies within the context of 3G?