Inside the MVNO World: Lessons from Vienna and Miami

In the last month I had the chance to attend two major MVNO conferences: MVNOs World in Vienna and MVNO Nation USA in Miami. I went in expecting differences, but what I found were many shared goals and challenges as well. Each event had its flavor, but both left me with plenty to think about.

A Broader Perspective in Vienna

Vienna really felt like a gathering of global minds. Attendees came from all over, sharing ideas about how MVNOs are finding new ways to grow. There were sessions about eSIM, AI throughout an MVNO’s Operations and global connectivity efforts. MVNOs were present from APAC, North & South America, plus Europe, and they may have spoken different languages, but the message was the same. How do you navigate around the regulatory landscape & how do you create a differentiated experience?

From conversations I had, it’s prevalent that newer technologies such as AI & 5G aren’t just bringing solutions to everyone’s questions, but they are leading to new challenges as well. How to best deploy AI? How to best monetize 5G?

There was a lot of discussion about BSS and OSS platforms, too. It is not just about billing anymore. These systems are shaping how MVNOs handle global operations, connect with new partners, and react quickly in a crowded market.

A Different Energy in Miami

Miami was a different experience, but it had similarities. Sessions revolved around community: whether that is finding your niche or creating the right partner ecosystem to go to market.

• The first question that comes up is what is your niche?
• Then what network do you want to resell?
• Which MVNE do you want to partner with?
• What BSS/OSS do you want to use?

These decisions will determine whether an MVNO can succeed or will fail in the American Market.
There was a global presence at the MVNO Nation Event as well, I met MVNOs from Kazakhstan to eSim providers from Africa. Not as global as Vienna, but global companies were wanting to either enter the American market or learn more about it.

Messaging and customer experience were big topics too. A2P and RCS messaging came up often, with speakers showing how they can help MVNOs keep customers happy and even bring in new revenue. The way people talked about using tech like fraud prevention and AI driven support made me think that in the US, MVNOs are focusing on getting every part of the customer journey right.

Where the Events Overlap

Even though the conferences were on different continents, I saw a lot of the same themes come up. Differentiation was a big one. Everyone is trying to figure out how to stand out, whether it is through better service, smarter tech, or creative branding.

IoT was another topic that came up in both places. In Vienna, there were talks about how IoT could help MVNOs get into new business areas and bring in new revenue. Miami’s sessions talked about IoT too, especially in the context of private networks and new customer segments. It was good to see that both markets are thinking about how to use IoT to grow.

Partnerships were huge on both sides of the Atlantic. Everyone agreed that working with the right carriers, vendors, and even non-traditional partners is key to growing an MVNO and keeping it profitable.

Customer experience was also front and center. In Vienna, it was about using AI and chatbots to create better journeys. Miami focused more on onboarding and fraud prevention, but the goal was the same: make the customer feel valued and keep them from leaving.

Utilizing technology was the key ingredient. BSS/OSS platforms were discussed as a pivotal piece to help MVNO’s deliver on their mission statements. Whether it’s managing activations or providing an accurate bill, these platforms are more important than ever.

If you can find the right Micro Influencers, go for it!

Going into both events, I expected to hear a lot about AI, which I did in a meaningful way. What I didn’t expect to hear was the focus on finding the right micro influencers that can drive consumer perception. In the United States, everyone is familiar with Mint Mobile and Ryan Reynolds.

At both events, several MVNO’s talked about the importance of micro influencers (YouTubers, TikTokers) that have their brand and can build trust within their fanbase of an MVNO’s brand. One of the speakers mentioned that 40% of consumers never switch carriers, which really stuck with me. If you grab a customer early, there’s a good chance you will not lose them. Utilizing an influencer can be a quick way to get you a lifelong customer. It is a smart way to make their brand feel like part of people’s lives rather than just another phone company.

Where the Markets Diverge

Of course, there were differences too. In Europe, the focus seemed to be on expanding beyond borders and dealing with regulations that change from country to country. In the US, the talk was more about getting the basics right with good operations, solid deals, and finding customers who are not being served by the big carriers.

Regulation in Europe seemed to be a constant challenge, with every country having its own rules. In the US, it felt a bit more straightforward, which gives MVNOs room to focus on building relationships and marketing.

B2B opportunities were bigger in Vienna. There was a lot of talk about enterprise services, global connectivity, and how MVNOs can tap into private networks. Miami was more about consumers, figuring out how to stand out in a crowded market and get people’s attention.

Final Thoughts

Leaving both Vienna & Miami, it’s evident that MVNOs on a global scale are looking to:

• Differentiate themselves from their respective carriers by being a community vs a customer
• Gain trust in a variety of ways (AI, Customer Journey, Micro Influencers, Accurate Bills, etc)
• Build a community: finding the right partners but most importantly finding the right customers

Connections are everything. Find your team, find your community, and let it rip! I’m excited to see how things have evolved in the space next year when visiting both events.

I am looking forward to seeing how these ideas play out. With the right mix of technology, partnerships, and human connection, I think MVNOs are in a great position to keep growing and make a real impact in the telecom world.