Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Market Size & Share 2021 to 2027
Market Size by Business Model (Full MVNO, Light MVNO, Service Provider, Branded Reseller) & Forecast.
Report ID: GMI160
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Published Date: July 2021
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Report Format: PDF
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Authors:
Preeti Wadhwani, Aishvarya Ambekar
Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Size
MVNO Market size exceeded USD 65 billion in 2020 and is poised to expand at over 9% CAGR from 2021 to 2027.
High demand for affordable mobile wireless services will boost the market growth. MVNOs are phone carriers that use one or more major wireless carriers or mobile networks to offer services. Mobile users switching to MVNOs to avail the benefits of high-quality services at lower costs. According to a survey conducted by Ting, in 2020, the average mobile virtual network operator bill is less than half of the average major carrier monthly bill. Around 91% of the customers who moved from a major carrier stated that their current service is at par or even better than the earlier. These virtual networks deliver more competitive offerings that translate to lower costs without compromising on service quality. Utilizing network capacity and infrastructure without owning it frees up significant costs that are then passed down to the customer. Significant cost savings with superior services are a key factor driving the market expansion.
The coronavirus pandemic has hindered the market progression in the first half of 2020 attributed to the lockdowns imposed by government organizations. The market observed a temporary downfall due to disruptions in the supply chain coupled with delays in strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions undertaken by major carriers and MVNOs. The industry regained traction in the second half of 2020, following relaxations in the lockdowns imposed. The market will witness growth in 2021 with consistent demand for high-quality telecom services from the corporate and academic sectors to enable seamless remote working techniques. The global screen time has increased owing to restrictions imposed on travel and public gatherings coupled with the growing popularity of video-on-demand (VOD) services. This factor will encourage partnerships between MNOs and MVNOs to capture a larger revenue share.
Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Analysis
The UK full MVNO market is projected to showcase 12% growth rate through 2027. The UK is a mature mobile market and has a considerable number of virtual network operators including GiffGaff, Lyca Mobile, Lebara, Virgin Mobile, Truphone, Tesco Mobile, and BT Mobile. The full MVNO provider is accountable for the entire operation, customer-related services, and data, thus providing complete control over all the products & services. The provider also has the flexibility to design & deploy new services. In this business model, the operator has full control over the entire core infrastructure including GGSN for data, HSS/HLR for services, GMSC for voice and the system, and processes for billing.
As a full MVNO, companies can create and control their core network with their proprietary infrastructure, reducing reliance on the host MNO and considerably increasing margins while connecting with multiple host MNOs. It can manage call flows, SIM cards, and data flows while also negotiating commercial contracts with other mobile operators. This is the most complete business model and is ideally suitable for large mobile projects. Strong control over the entire core network infrastructure helps companies to ensure and control the quality of services offered. The capacity to integrate with multiple mobile operators reduces restrictions on adhering to a single operator. Several light MVNOs focus on converting into full wireless virtual network operators, which will support the industry growth.
Asia Pacific MVNO market is estimated to attain a CAGR of over 10% during 2021 to 2027, which is credited to the rising smartphone ownership rates. The data usage per wireless data subscriber was around 11 BG per month in India in 2020. The country aims to produce mobile phones worth USD 190 billion by 2025. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, India’s 5G subscriptions are set to reach around 350 million by 2026. Similarly, the internet penetration in South Korea crossed 97% as of January 2021. The expanding smartphone market coupled with the growing demand for cost-effective telecom services will support the industry expansion. The expanding 5G market will encourage mobile virtual network operators in the region to solidify their industry presence to offer affordable wireless telecom services.
Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Share
Key participants operating in the market include :
Major companies account for over 50% of the global revenue share. Market leaders are focusing on entering into multi-year partnerships with MNOs to expand operations and strengthen industry positions.
The Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD from 2017 to 2027 for the following segments:
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Market, By Business Model
The above information has been provided for the following regions and countries:
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
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