The free, independent guide to launching and growing an MVNO
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What is an MVNO?
A Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a company that sells mobile services under its own brand using network capacity leased from a Mobile Network Operator (MNO). The MVNO owns the customer relationship, sets its own tariffs and builds its own brand, while the host MNO holds the spectrum licence and operates the radio access network. MVNOs range from Branded Resellers, which rely almost entirely on the host's systems, to Full MVNOs, which run their own core network and issue their own SIMs.
MVNO Index is an independent, free knowledge base for the people building these businesses — not a vendor, and not selling a platform. It is written and maintained by Walter Botman, who has worked in telecommunications for over 25 years and with MVNOs since 2009.
Start here: how to start an MVNO · the five types of MVNO · 20 MVNO business models · MVNO, MVNE and MVNA explained · find a solution provider
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The five types of MVNO compared
MVNOs are classified by how much they run themselves, from a Branded Reseller that uses the host operator's systems almost entirely to a Full MVNO that owns its core network. More control means more cost, more complexity and a longer time to launch.
| MVNO type | What you control | Core network | BSS / OSS | Licence needed | Time to launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branded Reseller also called Skinny MVNO | Brand, sales and marketing. You sell the host operator's predefined tariffs and bundles. | Host operator's | Host operator's | Not usually | 2–4 months |
| Thin MVNO | Brand, sales, marketing and customer service, with some flexibility to define your own services and tariffs. | Host operator's | Mostly the host operator's, including billing and rating | Not usually | 6–10 months |
| Light MVNO | Rating, billing, customer care, sales and marketing. Full commercial control, no network of your own. | Host operator's | Your own | Sometimes, depending on the country | 6–10 months |
| Thick MVNO | Everything a light MVNO controls, plus some core network elements — giving you more control over subscriber data usage. | Some elements your own, the rest from the host | Your own | Usually | 9–14 months |
| Full MVNO | Your own core network, your own SIM and eSIM provisioning, and your own call and data flows. Only radio access comes from the host. | Your own, including HLR, GGSN, SMSC, PGW and SBC | Your own | Usually | 12–18+ months |
Read more: the five MVNO types in full · what BSS and OSS do · core network elements explained · what a wholesale agreement covers. Launch times are indicative and taken from How to Start an MVNO. Licensing varies by country — check with your national regulator.
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Frequently asked questions about MVNOs
Short answers to the questions people ask most often before launching a mobile brand. Each one links to the full guide.
What is the difference between an MVNO, an MVNE and an MVNA?
An MVNO sells mobile services to end customers under its own brand. An MVNE is a business-to-business enabler that supplies the platform, BSS/OSS and integration work an MVNO needs to operate. An MVNA aggregates wholesale capacity, and sometimes coverage, from multiple mobile network operators and resells it to MVNOs, usually alongside enabler services.
How much does it cost to start an MVNO?
Launching a branded reseller or thin MVNO in the EU or UK typically costs between €105,000 and €475,000. That covers legal and regulatory work, a BSS/OSS platform, SIM personalisation, brand and app development, marketing, customer care and around six months of working capital. A full MVNO costs considerably more.
How long does it take to launch an MVNO?
A branded reseller can launch in two to four months, a thin or light MVNO in six to ten months, and a full MVNO in twelve to eighteen months or longer. The gap comes down to how much you build yourself: resellers use the host operator's existing systems, full MVNOs integrate and test their own core network.
What are the five types of MVNO?
The five MVNO types are Branded Reseller, Thin, Light, Thick and Full, ordered from least to most operational control. A branded reseller sells the host operator's predefined tariffs under its own brand. A full MVNO owns its core network elements, handles its own SIM and eSIM provisioning, and controls its own call and data flows.
Do you need your own core network to run an MVNO?
No. Only thick and full MVNOs run their own core network elements. Branded resellers, thin MVNOs and light MVNOs use the host operator's core network and radio access. A light MVNO adds its own BSS and OSS for rating, billing and customer care, but still runs no core network of its own.
What does an MVNO wholesale agreement cover?
A wholesale agreement with a host network operator covers three main areas. Network access sets data speeds, coverage and any restrictions. Service level agreements set quality-of-service, uptime and support commitments. Pricing covers wholesale rates for data, voice and SMS, plus revenue sharing, roaming and any additional fees.
What is the difference between OSS and BSS?
BSS covers the business and customer side of an MVNO: customer management, billing and charging, order management and revenue assurance. OSS covers the operations and network side: network provisioning, fault management and performance monitoring. Light, thick and full MVNOs normally run both, while a branded reseller uses the host operator's systems.
What is the difference between a SIM, an eSIM and an iSIM?
A SIM is a physical removable card that slots into the device. An eSIM is embedded in the device and programmed remotely, so a subscriber can switch networks without swapping hardware. An iSIM is built into the device's main processor during manufacturing, removing the need for a separate chip altogether.
Can an MVNO offer international roaming?
Yes. An MVNO normally uses its host operator's existing roaming agreements, which is the fastest route to international coverage. An MVNO can also set up separate arrangements for specific traffic types, such as an agreement with an SMS broker for SMS traffic, where that gives better rates or more control.
Which MVNO business model should you choose?
There are 20 established MVNO and IoT business models, from Discount and Ethnic MVNOs to Healthcare, Fintech, Satellite Direct-to-Device and Public Safety. Choose by the segment you can reach cheaply and serve better than an incumbent, because each model differs in expected ARPU, financing needs, go-to-market approach and time to launch.