London-based x-Mobility have just announced the launch of their new Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA) service, and at the same time tipped everyone off about a new student Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO).
So here’s the deal. x-Mobility have an agreement with 3, all the backend (BSS/OSS) systems, a customer care service, plus SIM and handset fulfilment. In theory you don’t have to do anything – apart from give them some cash and a copy of your brands logo. 120 days later and voila – have your very own MVNO. No months of negotiations with the mobile operator over radio access contracts, and no large outlay on equipment.
That’s what Uni-Tel Mobile did, and they’re now about to launch a new UK student-targetted service. Details on exactly what their offer is – when it’ll be available, etc – is a little sketchy, but their Operations Director, Mike Hall, is quoted as saying ‘We think that we have a very compelling offering to the student market and we’re extremely excited about the possibilities.’
Anyway, back to x-Mobility. The company claims they’re working with a number of brands to launch some more MVNO’s soon. But is there room in the market? Many MVNO’s have come, failed and gone. Differentiation against the traditional operators is the key – it’s not just a case of slapping on your brands logo and hoping for the best; a fact that was a little lost on Marks & Spencer a while back.
I’m currently arranging some time with both Uni-Tel and x-Mobility for a chat – if you’ve got any questions you want putting to them please drop a comment on this post.
New MVNA launches; student MVNO is first customer: http://ping.fm/DYfUT
New MVNA launches; student MVNO is first customer: http://ping.fm/DYfUT
Thank you Alex for the post. My only hope is they come to 3rd World (Canada). Also, are they going to that big continent (Africa) where the MVNO term is almost unknown?
I wish them success and …I beg you x-Mobility come to Canada!
Ed
Thank you Alex for the post. My only hope is they come to 3rd World (Canada). Also, are they going to that big continent (Africa) where the MVNO term is almost unknown?
I wish them success and …I beg you x-Mobility come to Canada!
Ed
We are thinking do the same but I am wondering if their charge is bit higher in some countries than other MVNO operated in UK. How a new MVNO will compete the giant existing MVNO's like Libara, Nomi or Lycatel? Example : To make a call to INDIA : Uni-tel charge £0.07/min where as Nomi-mobile charge £0.05/min. How many active clients do Uni-Tel need to make it a profitable project? Am in doubt.