WCIS Insight: Global MVNO Operations - A study of current business models and emerging opportunities

WCIS Insight: Global MVNO Operations - A study of current business models and emerging opportunities published by Informa Telecoms & Media in May, 2009. This report consists of 62 Pages (including 4 TOC pages) and the price starts from US $ 875.

Introduction

“This report provides a commentary on the current status of global MVNO markets and the potential for MVNO entry in several high-growth mobile markets. ”

Each chapter lists the current number of MVNOs operational in each region and based on over 100 interviews with regulators and operators, provides a view on those countries that are ready for the introduction of the MVNO business model.

Key issues addressed:

• Can the MVNO business model be transferred to high-growth mobile markets in Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific?
• Which markets are likely to welcome MVNOs for the first time in the next three years?
• How is the MVNO business model set to change in 2009 and beyond?
• What are some of the niche marketing opportunities from which new MVNOs can benefit?
• What do MNOs look for in a partnership with MVNOs and how can operators look to differentiate from their competitors by hosting MVNOs?
• What lessons can be learned from the failure of numerous MVNOS in North America and Europe?
• Is there a strong case for the pan-regional MVNO operator?
• Will existing MNOs allow MVNOs to share a slice of the basic voice market in sub-Saharan Africa?
• Is India the ultimate prize for MVNOs? Would MVNOs be able to compete in such a crowded market?

Key Highlights:

• The region with the largest number of MVNOs/resellers is Western Europe, which also comprises approximately two-thirds of all MVNO subscriptions globally, ahead of North America (22%) and Asia Pacific (10%).
• Informa expects a number of high-growth markets to embrace the MVNO/reseller business model in the next three years, especially in Middle East, Africa and the Indian sub-continent. Oman and Jordan became the first countries in the Middle East to award licenses to resellers and it is likely that similar awards will be made in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Research suggests that regulators in many markets including Morocco, Egypt, India and Pakistan are all preparing to build MVNO frameworks.
• The MVNO market remains competitive in USA with 43 such companies in operation of which Tracfone is the largest with 10.5m subscriptions, as of 3Q08. The US market has seen a host of failed MVNOs, whose offerings have been taken on by partner MNOs or whose value propositions failed. There is likely to be continued consolidation in this market with only those MVNOs with a robust business model likely to survive.
• Despite Europe being the most mature of MVNO markets, there is likely to be a number of countries in the region welcoming MVNOs for the first time in the coming years including Hungary, Turkey, Israel (these two countries are included in the West Europe chapter of this report) and Bosnia Herzegovina.
• The lion' s share of MVNO subscriptions in Asia Pacific can be found in Australia, Japan and Korea, although Hong Kong' s market is the fastest growing country. The possible emergence of India and Pakistan as MVNO markets could significantly accelerate the region' s growth rate.
• There is potential for MVNO entry in Africa although MNOs may be uncomfortable about new challengers in the voice market. There is more room for capacity resellers in the region' s fast growing data market. Whilst the number of data network deployments in Africa is on the rise, MVNO deployment is likely to be challenged by reluctance from incumbents to share their networks with virtual operators.

Who should read this report:

• Operators
• Vendors
• Telecoms Strategists
• Content Providers
• Financial Institutions
• Consultancies
• Governments
• Regulators
• Retailers
• Entertainment companies

Markets Covered:

• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• North America
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Middle East
• Africa
• Asia Pacific

Table of Contents

• INTRODUCTION
• Scope and structure
• Market status
  • Figure 1.1: Global, potential new MVNO markets
• Market size
  • Figure 1.2: Global, MVNOs and resellers in service and their subscriptions, by regional market shares, 2008
• Emerging MVNO business models

• NORTH AMERICA
• Highlights
• Market status
  • Figure 2.1: North America, MVNO market status, 1Q09
• Market size
  • Figure 2.2: North America, selected MVNOs in service, 3Q07 and 3Q08
  • Figure 2.3: US, selected MVNO market shares, 3Q08
• MVNO business models
  • US
  • Canada

• WESTERN EUROPE
• Highlights
• Market status
  • Figure 3.1: Western Europe, MVNO market status, 1Q09
• Market size
  • Figure 3.2: Western Europe, MVNO subscriptions, 3Q07 and 3Q08
  • Figure 3.3: Western Europe, MVNOs' share of total mobile subscriptions, 3Q08
• The French MVNO market
  • Figure 3.4: France, MVNOs' subscriptions and market share, 3Q07-3Q08
• The rise of pan-regional MVNOs

• EASTERN EUROPE
• Highlights
• Market status
  • Figure 4.1: Eastern Europe, MVNO market status, end-2008
• Market size
  • Figure 4.2: Eastern Europe, selected markets' MVNO subscriptions, 3Q07 and 3Q08
• MVNO business models
• Poland
  • Figure 4.3: Poland, MVNOs' market shares of active MVNO subscriptions, 3Q08
  • Figure 4.4: Poland, mobile and MVNO subscriptions, 3Q07-3Q08
• Russia
  • Non-licensed MVNOs
  • ‘Big Three' considering options
  • Interested parties
  • MVNO potential

• ASIA PACIFIC
• Highlights
• Market status
  • Figure 5.1: Asia Pacific, MVNO market status, end-2008
• Market size
  • Figure 5.2: Asia Pacific, selected markets' MVNO subscriptions, 4Q07 and 4Q08
• MVNO business models and future MVNO prospects
  • Existing MVNO business models
  • Future MVNO prospects in Asia Pacific

• LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
• Highlights
• Market status
  • Figure 6.1: Latin America and the Caribbean, MVNO market status, 1Q09
• Market size
  • Figure 6.2: Latin America and the Caribbean, selected markets' MVNO subscriptions, 3Q07 and 3Q08
• MVNO business models
• Active reselling operators
  • Figure 6.3: Ecuador, Alegro' s mobile subscriptions, CDMA versus GSM, 4Q07-3Q08

• MIDDLE EAST
• Highlights
• Market status
  • Figure 7.1: Middle East, MVNO market status, 1Q09
• Market size
• MVNO business models

• AFRICA
• Highlights
• Market status and size
  • Figure 8.1: Africa, MVNO market status, 1Q09
• MVNO business models
• South Africa
  • Virgin' s slow uptake
  • New opportunities
• North Africa
• Other markets
  • ‘MVNO-friendly' regulation frameworks dominate East Africa
  • West and Central Africa prioritize general licensing framework reform
• Opportunities in the data segment

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