Clearing the Obstacles to Broader MVNO Adoption for Telcos and Their Partners

The telecom industry is experiencing a slow and steady shift as brands and partners seek to enter the mobile market without building expensive infrastructure from scratch. According to GSMA Intelligence, the global MVNO count today stands at around 2,100+, up 60% in the last decade. Europe and APAC account for around 70% of all MVNOs globally, while the number of MVNOs in Latin America has grown nearly 5x in the last decade and pockets of growth are emerging in several African markets.

Despite this growth, major gaps remain. GSMA Intelligence research indicates that only 42% of countries worldwide currently host at least one MVNO, meaning 58% of markets still have no MVNO presence at all. The causes of this gap are many, including regulatory barriers in some markets. However, one universal challenge is that launching and managing these services has historically been complex and resource-intensive.

Netcracker's MVNO Cloud Solution addresses this challenge head-on, offering a comprehensive platform that enables telcos to open new revenue streams while empowering brands to quickly establish their presence in the mobile space.

A Modern, Cloud-Based Approach

The outlook for the MVNO market has never been stronger. As GSMA Intelligence points out, the introduction of eSIM is reducing barriers to entry and removing the requirement of physical retail outlets, while continued advances in 5G are creating the opportunity to build new use cases built on low latency gaming and other digital services.

For many telecommunications companies looking to expand their market reach, supporting MVNO partnerships still means dealing with complicated onboarding processes, fragmented systems and lengthy deployment timelines. Meanwhile, brands interested in launching mobile services see significant barriers: high upfront costs, technical complexity and the need for specialized telecom expertise.

Netcracker's solution transforms this landscape by providing a multi-tenant, cloud-based platform that dramatically simplifies MVNO operations. The platform enables telcos to support diverse MVNO markets, including consumer services, B2B applications and IoT deployments, all with the potential for scalability.

The solution facilitates much quicker deployments as well, with MVNOs able to launch services in weeks rather than months, and acquire new customers in minutes rather than days. This acceleration is achieved through AI-powered automation, ready-made templates and self-service capabilities that reduce dependency on technical specialists.

Netcracker MVNO Cloud Solution incorporates several key factors to ensure success:

• Marketing Agility: Marketing teams gain the ability to launch new offers rapidly using AI agents and pre-built templates. They can bundle telecom services with digital content and over-the-top services, creating compelling packages that differentiate their brand. Advanced pricing strategies, promotional campaigns and trial offers can be deployed with flexibility across different geographies and customer segments.
   
• Digital-First Customer Experience: The platform prioritizes digital engagement through mobile apps and web portals, providing customers with personalized shopping experiences and consolidated self-service options. AI-powered digital agents enhance customer care with quick, accurate support and troubleshooting. Loyalty programs, referral incentives and rewards are built into the platform to deepen customer relationships.
   
• Operational Efficiency: Service delivery is streamlined through automation that handles everything from initial ordering to activation for 5G and other services. The solution manages both eSIM and traditional SIM cards and facilitates mobile number portability for customer transitions.
   
• Monetization Flexibility: The platform provides multiple pathways for generating revenue, with transparent balance checking, multi-channel top-up options and clear, itemized billing that includes tax details. Integration with existing financial systems, payment gateways and enterprise resource planning platforms ensures both seamless operations and regulatory compliance.

Looking Forward

As the telecommunications industry continues to evolve, the ability to quickly launch, scale and manage mobile services will become increasingly critical. Netcracker's MVNO Cloud Solution positions both telcos and their MVNO partners to capture growth opportunities in an agile, cost-effective manner.

The platform's emphasis on digital customer experience, combined with its operational efficiency and monetization capabilities, creates a comprehensive ecosystem where all participants can succeed. Whether supporting consumer mobile services, enterprise communications or the expanding world of IoT connectivity, the solution provides the foundation for sustainable growth in the dynamic mobile market.

Learn more about Netcracker MVNO Cloud Solution.