tp:news
tp:research
tp:events
Products
Subscriptions
filters
 to apply to the current section.
Countries 

Welcome to the Telecompaper Mobile MVNO/SP List. This is a fairly comprehensive listing of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) and mobile SPs in the world today, as well as relevant news. Where possible, the defunct or purchased entities are listed as well. You can suggest corrections or additions using our online form. Only announced, launched or rumoured ventures are named on this page. MVNEs are listed by country after MVNO/SPs. See below for general MVNEs, a news archive, some MVNO resources, etc.

Note: Despite different countries and regulatory bodies having different definitions, we have decided to officially list in the following manner:

  • MVNOs - Mobile Service Providers having their own switching infrastructure.
  • ESPs - "Enchanced" Mobile Service providers having more branded customer interfaces.
  • SPs - Traditional Mobile Service providers providing sales, marketing and customer support facilities.

Where unclear to us, we have listed "unknown". If you have updated information about the companies listed here, please suggest a change.



7-Eleven Speak-out | 9278 Mobile | Air Voice Wireless | Airdesk | Airlink Mobile | Amp'd Mobile | Apple | AT&T | AwayPhone | Beyond Mobile | Boost Mobile | Bratz Mobile | BRAVO wireless | Call Plus | Circle-K "Talk-and-go Mobile" | Consumer Cellular | Cool.Prepaid | CREDO Mobile | DBS | Dexa | Disney Mobile | EarthLink | Embarq | ESPN | Extreme Mob | Firefly Mobile | Flying J | Freedom-Wireless | Global Talk PCS | GSR Mobile | GTC Wireless | Helio | Hop-On | IDT | IElement | Jitterbug | JusTalk | Kajeet | KDDI Swiss | KORE Wireless | Liberty Wireless | Locus Mobile | Map2010 Wireless | Mobile PCS | MobilePro | Movida Communications | Mr. Prepaid | National Geographic | NET10 | New Dimension Wireless | Nextel Partners | Omni Prepaid | Onstar | Page Plus | Payless Cellular | P-Diddy | PhoneCo | PlatinumTel Communications | Primus Telecom | Qwest Wireless | Radio Shack | Red Pocket Mobile | RoadCom Wireless | RockitTalk | Skypath Networks | SmartServe Online | Sonopia | STI Mobile | TelePlus | Time Warner | Total Call Mobile | Tracfone Wireless | TuYo Mobile | U Mobile | Uphonia | Virgin Mobile USA | Voce | WallMart | Working Assets | XE Mobile | Xero Mobile | ZUMA Prepaid Wireless | ZyAir Wireless

United States

10 May America Movil's Tracfone unit to acquire Simple Mobile
29 Apr Tracfone sees EBITDA grow 121% in Q1

7-Eleven Speak-out

Prepaid MVNO via MVNE with Ztar Mobil owned by 7-Eleven.
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: prepaid; status: Active

9278 Mobile

Prepaid MVNO targeting recent immigrants.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: prepaid; status: Active

Air Voice Wireless

MVNO selling prepaid cards.
MVNO; networks: AT&T Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: unknown

Airdesk

Aggregator expanding into MVNO business.
SP; networks: ; services: unknown; status: Stopped

Airlink Mobile

Postpaid and prepaid MVNO created by Wireless Retail, Inc., one of the nation’s largest wireless phone retailers. Available at Sam's Club, BJ's Wholesale Club, Menard's and MobileGateway Locations.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: pre + postpaid; status: Active

Amp'd Mobile

Proposed Postpaid MVNO
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: unknown; status: Stopped

Apple

Ongoing MVNO rumours.
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown
24 May Apple iPhone leads in mobile video messaging usage - study
23 May AT&T features largest iPhone halo effect - study
16 May US customs review delays sale of new HTC smartphones
16 May Nearly half of iPhone users to buy Apple iTV post-launch
10 May Most US smartphone owners use SMS than social media apps
09 May VeriFone Systems launches payment-as-a-service platform
07 May Sprint CEO compensation cut on iPhone costs
07 May Google faces USD 10 mln fine over Safari breach – report
03 May China passes US as largest smartphone market
02 May Samsung maintains lead on US mobile market

AT&T

Business-oriented MVNO, launching in 2005, "non-exclusive deal - AT&T has hinted it might work with additional network carriers" - Ovum.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: unknown
24 May Apple iPhone leads in mobile video messaging usage - study
23 May AT&T features largest iPhone halo effect - study
22 May AT&T unveils Mobile Protection Pack for small businesses
22 May AT&T launches Mobile Protection Pack for small businesses
18 May AT&T expands LTE mobile broadband
17 May GameDesk, AT&T to create living learning laboratory
17 May AT&T launches supplier diversity programme
14 May About 43% of US teens admit to sending text while driving
11 May American Express adds Serve Cards to Isis mobile wallet
10 May Deutsche Telekom revenues drop 1.3%, EBITDA down 4.6%

AwayPhone

MVNO; networks: ; services: postpaid; status: unknown

Beyond Mobile

Postpaid, small business-focused MVNO.
MVNO; networks: ; services: postpaid; status: Active

Boost Mobile

Lifestyle ESP targeting the youth market. No longer marketed by MVNO's owner, Telecom NZ.
SP; networks: Nextel; services: prepaid; status: Stopped
16 May Sprint takes lead in mobile customer satisfaction
09 May Boost Mobile to unveil HTC EVO Design 4G smartphone
02 May Boost Mobile starts phone insurance promotion
22 Mar Boost Mobile to launch promotional 'talk & text' plan
09 Mar Sprint, Boost Mobile to launch LG Rumor Reflex phone
06 Mar PreCash to develop mobile bill payment app for Boost, Virgin
01 Mar Sprint launches Mobile Accessibility app for Android users
27 Jan Boost Mobile expands sponsorship deal with CD Guadalajara
13 Jan Boost Mobile to launch LG Marquee smartphone
06 Jan Boost Mobile to launch Samsung Replenish smartphone

Bratz Mobile

Youth-focused pre-paid ESP launched by MVNE Ztar Mobile leveraging the popular Bratz toys. Bratz handsets have outbound calling number restrictions for parents.
SP; networks: Cingular network; services: prepaid; status: Active

BRAVO wireless

Pay-as-you-go MVNO targeting immigrants from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America from Oblio Telecom Inc. launched in Q4 2005 and targeting 100.000 customers. BRAVO will include domestic and international prepaid and will come with a handset and $10 voucher. Sold to AllTel.
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: Stopped

Call Plus

Prepaid MVNO.
MVNO; networks: AT&T Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: unknown

Circle-K "Talk-and-go Mobile"

Prepaid MVNO launched by MVNE Ztar Mobile offering flat-rate calling (USD 0,20 per minute).
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: prepaid; status: Active

Consumer Cellular

Postpaid MVNO.
MVNO; networks: ; services: postpaid; status: unknown
07 Dec Small mobile carriers gain top rating for user satisfaction
02 Nov Consumer Cellular offers handsets at Florida Walgreens
14 Jun Sears stores to sell Consumer Cellular phones, plans

Cool.Prepaid

Prepaid MVNO focusing on content, features and handsets.
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: prepaid; status: unknown

CREDO Mobile

Sprint MVNO. They send charity to idealistic groups for human rights, women's rights, peace and environmentalism. 1% of revenue is donated to progressive nonprofits annually. The MVNO offers CREDO Action, an activism website where you can stay current with issues of the day and take action to influence decision-makers. act.credoaction.com
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: postpaid; status: Active

DBS

MVNO, also offering MVNE services
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Dexa

MVNO focused on the Hispanic market.
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Disney Mobile

Scrapped MVNO venture.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: Stopped

EarthLink

1.) BlackBerry data MVNO, also sells packages that include voice 2.) New venture with SK Telecom called SK-EartthLink.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: unknown; status: unknown
17 May Five telcos settle patent litigation with Klausner
16 May EarthLink launches Business Cloud Workspace
01 May EarthLink launches 3 cloud packages
26 Apr EarthLink targets return to organic revenue growth by yr-end
10 Apr Boston Marathon selects EarthLink data centre platform
07 Mar EarthLink to offer iIT desktop computing services
29 Feb EarthLink unveils business IT services
16 Feb EarthLink forecasts lower results in 2012
01 Feb EarthLink, XCast complete 100 Mbps NNI connections in US
21 Dec EarthLink acquires IT Solution Center from Synergy Global

Embarq

Sprint spin-off featuring mobile services.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: unknown
06 Mar CenturyLink refinances USD 2 bln in debt
16 Feb CenturyLink Q4 sales hit USD 4.6 bln, still boosted by Qwest
04 Aug CenturyLink Q2 sales jump 148%, boosted by Qwest

ESPN

MVNO featuring sport-oriented data applications.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: Stopped
21 May About 181 mln US users watch online content videos in April
08 May Nokia announces app partnerships for Windows phones
20 Apr US online video ads top 8 bln in March
19 Mar Hulu streams record 1.5 bln video ads in February
15 Mar ESPN launches TV app for Verizon NCAA fans
29 Feb Sprint launches streaming TV app for iPhone users
21 Feb About 84.4% of US internet users viewed online video
20 Jan Verizon launches BlackBerry, LG smartphones
10 Jan Verizon to launch LG Spectrum with ESPN
10 Jan AT&T to launch first Windows phones with LTE

Extreme Mob

MVNO with focus on Sports Fans. Not active yet.Release will be probable this summer.
unknown; networks: ; services: unknown; status: Prelaunch

Firefly Mobile

Children-focused pre-paid MVNO based in Chicago, IL.
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: prepaid; status: Active

Flying J

Truck stop-focused MVNO/ESP.
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Freedom-Wireless

Freedom Wireless, a subsidiary of TMT Capital Corp., has acquired an MVNO "license" to sell cellular voice, data and messaging services in the U.S. and Canada. The main target for its service is the prepaid cellular, affiliate and non-profit markets.
MVNO; networks: AT&T Wireless ; services: pre + postpaid; status: Active

Global Talk PCS

MVNO targeting credit risk customers.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: unknown

GSR Mobile

Prepaid card MVNO Prepaid card provider.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: prepaid; status: unknown

GTC Wireless

MVNO
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Helio

MVNO venture of SK Telecom and EarthLink (see press release. Focusing on young professionals and social networking. Bought by Virgin Mobile.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: unknown; status: Stopped

Hop-On

GSM, CDMA MVNO scheduled to launch June 15.
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: unknown; status: Active

IDT

Youth-targeted MVNO - see the job postings.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: unknown; status: unknown
02 Mar IDT to market prepaid calling cards in Rite Aid stores
01 Feb MetTel names Silber as director of wireless services

IElement

Proposed SME-oriented MVNO (in discussions presently) - IElement is a "a leading facilities-based communications service provider of enhanced voice and data services"
unknown; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Jitterbug

New MVNO targeting senior citizens, launched by GreatCall Inc.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: Active

JusTalk

Prepaid card MVNO Prepaid card provider.
MVNO; networks: AT&T Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: Active

Kajeet

Bethesda, Maryland-based prepaid MVNO focusing on the youth marketplace (pre-teens to early teenagers)
MVNO; networks: ; services: prepaid; status: unknown
31 Aug NCTAF, Qualcomm, HTC to offer mobile technologies initiative

KDDI Swiss

Second largest mobile operator in Japan.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: pre + postpaid; status: Active
03 May Google expands carrier billing in US, Japan
02 Apr Fujitsu buys out Toshiba stake in handset venture
27 Feb Facebook leads new W3C group on mobile web standards
21 Feb Samsung wins LTE network contracts in US
24 Aug KDDI launches first Windows 7.5 phone
03 Aug Sequans powers four HTC devices in Korea, US
18 Jul KDDI to offer first Windows Mango phone - report

KORE Wireless

M2M MVNO.
MVNO; networks: AT&T Wireless , Cingular network, T-Mobile; services: unknown; status: unknown

Liberty Wireless

Prepaid MVNO owned and managed by by Inphonic.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: prepaid; status: Active

Locus Mobile

Prepaid card MVNO Prepaid card provider.
MVNO; networks: AT&T Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: unknown

Map2010 Wireless

MVNO; networks: ; services: postpaid; status: Prelaunch

Mobile PCS

MVNO (Sprint PCS network)
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: unknown

MobilePro

Planned MVNO.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Movida Communications

Prepaid voice and data MVNO services focusing on the U.S Hispanic population - mainly sold in Wal-Mart stores, etc.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: prepaid; status: Active

Mr. Prepaid

Recently bought by Canadian TelePlus Enterprises Inc. - working on an MVNO programme (currently supplies wireless phones, accessories and wireless and long-distance vouchers to over 700 retail outlets on the US East Coast)
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: Active

National Geographic

World wide Prepaid service that allows users to buy or rent a phone and then pay in advance for minutes that work in more than 100 countries.
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

NET10

Pre-paid MVNO using airtime cards, available at Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, etc. NET 10 is a sub-brand of Tracfone.
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: prepaid; status: Active

New Dimension Wireless

Washington DC-based all pre-paid MVNO, launching in 2006
MVNO; networks: ; services: prepaid; status: Active

Nextel Partners

MVNO (Nextel network)
MVNO; networks: Nextel; services: unknown; status: Active

Omni Prepaid

Service provider (Atlanta GA, Washington DC).
SP; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: Active

Onstar

Largest telematiscs MVNO of general consumer subscriber numbers.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: unknown; status: Active
10 Jun Tests show GPS interference from LightSquared network

Page Plus

Prepaid MVNO.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: unknown
29 Mar Page Plus Cellular increases data usage for prepay users
23 Dec Page Plus Cellular launches monthly mobile phone plan
07 Dec Page Plus lowers price of Unlimited Talk n Text plan
09 Nov Page Plus expands prepay tariff plan offering

Payless Cellular

Pre-paid ESP, e-billing and mobile accessory dealer located in southern California US.
ESP; networks: ; services: prepaid; status: unknown

P-Diddy

P-Diddy is an MVNO. Web-site is out of the air?
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

PhoneCo

Planned MVNO
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

PlatinumTel Communications

Prepaid MVNO operating since 2002 servicing inner-city and urban individuals in the US. One of the first independent MVNOs to offer 3G web services as well as online account management. On 15 January, they will launch the "PlatinumTel Everyone Visa Prepaid Card", a prepaid debit card that will augment our existing services.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: prepaid; status: Active

Primus Telecom

MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: Active

Qwest Wireless

MVNO with 814k customers as of Q2 2004, to be acquired by Verizon Wireless by the end of 2005.
MVNO; networks: Sprint, Sprint, Sprint, Sprint; services: postpaid; status: Active

Radio Shack

Planned MVNO. InPhonic was selected in December 2004 to run and manage their online wireless store.
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Red Pocket Mobile

Red Pocket Mobile focuses on specific needs of the Chinese American community and for those doing business in China. They also offer good rates to other Asian countries.
MVNO; networks: AT&T Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: Active
12 Dec LightSquared signs wholesale deals with over 30 customers
09 Nov Red Pocket selects LightSquared's LTE for broadband services

RoadCom Wireless

Postpaid and Prepaid MVNO/ESP.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: pre + postpaid; status: Active

RockitTalk

Postpaid MVNO offering unlimited calling for $99,99 per month.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: postpaid; status: unknown

Skypath Networks

Business services, UM, hosting, etc.
unknown; networks: ; services: unknown; status: Active

SmartServe Online

Prepaid, phones + content (Plymouth Meeting, PA)
unknown; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Sonopia

Sonopia, launched in April 2007, allows corporations, charities, sport franchises and other organisations to become mobile carriers. The company handles all the backend and shares revenue generated from subscribers' usage fees with its partners.
MVNO; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: unknown; status: Active

STI Mobile

Prepaid card provider MVNO.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: prepaid; status: unknown

TelePlus

MVNO / SP for this popular telecommunications retail chain. (on multiple networks)
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: Active

Time Warner

MVNO planned and in test phases.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: Active
16 May Dish tops DirecTV, cable in customer satisfaction
12 Apr Verizon, TWC start joint offers in Ohio
03 Apr CCI appoints Lesser as executive director
09 Feb Time Warner appoints chief diversity officer
08 Dec Comcast Cable names Smit as CEO
16 Nov TWCBC wins contract from DIR in Texas
11 Aug Cox names Naide as executive director of social media
17 Jun Cablevision Systems increases speed of Optimum WiFi network

Total Call Mobile

New prepaid and postpaid MVNO.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: pre + postpaid; status: Active

Tracfone Wireless

Tracfone claims to be America's largest and number one prepaid cell phone provider in the U.S with over 10 million subscribers. Parent company America Movil has roaming agreements in the USA with Allel/ AT&T Wireless/ Cellular One/ Cincinatti Bell Telephone/ Cingular Wireless/ Dobson/ Suncom Wireless/ T-Mobile/ TMP Corp
SP; networks: Verizon Wireless ; services: prepaid; status: Active
10 May America Movil's Tracfone unit to acquire Simple Mobile
03 Aug Vonage to provide home phone service to TracFone users

TuYo Mobile

Prepaid MVNO targeted towards Latino customers. Initially available in New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Las Vegas, TuYo offers cheap international calling rates from the United States to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, etc.
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: prepaid; status: Active

U Mobile

U Mobile, formerly known as MiTV is a subsidiary of U Television. The MVNO not only supplies 3G services over the Celcom network, but has its own HSPA network as well. KT Freetel and NTT Docomo are both owners of U Mobile.
unknown; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: unknown

Uphonia

SmartServe Online's ring tone division plans to launch a US operation targeted at urban ethnic consumers, launched August 2004
unknown; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Virgin Mobile USA

Prepaid MVNO with focus on young consumers and content and media.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: unknown; status: Active
16 May Virgin Mobile USA launches LG Optimus Elite smartphone
16 May Sprint takes lead in mobile customer satisfaction
09 May Virgin Mobile USA offers Wimax speeds with no-contract plans
02 May Virgin Mobile USA launches mobile phone insurance service
18 Apr Sprint, Virgin Mobile to launch LG Optimus Elite smartphone
15 Mar Virgin Mobile USA launches Alcatel's Venture smartphone
07 Mar Virgin Mobile unveils ad campaign, cultural content platform
06 Mar PreCash to develop mobile bill payment app for Boost, Virgin
01 Mar Sprint launches Mobile Accessibility app for Android users
24 Jan Virgin Mobile USA to start throttling in March

Voce

Luxury MVNO.
MVNO; networks: Cingular network; services: unknown; status: Stopped

WallMart

MVNO Rumour
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

Working Assets

Planned MVNO.
MVNO; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

XE Mobile

Pre-paid "Student Advantage Discount Card" company MVNO oriented towards students.
MVNO; networks: ; services: prepaid; status: Active

Xero Mobile

Xero Mobile aims to provide free airtime provided that its users put up with advertisements. Founded by three former Gizmondo executives, Xero Mobile estimates its start-up costs to be USD 92 mln, but is reporting to investors that the payoff could be USD 1.8 bln in three years. Rumours are that they have already raised USD 300 ,mln from European investors.
unknown; networks: ; services: unknown; status: unknown

ZUMA Prepaid Wireless

Pre-paid MVNO.
MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: prepaid; status: Active

ZyAir Wireless

MVNO; networks: Sprint; services: pre + postpaid; status: Prelaunch


Recent Research   /   Most Viewed

Twitter ::: follow Telecompaper on Twitter
Facebook ::: like Telecompaper on Facebook
LinkedIn ::: connect with Telecompaper on LinkedIn
Free Headlines ::: subscribe now