Mobile network operator
A
mobile network operator, also known as
wireless service provider,
wireless carrier,
mobile phone operator, or
cellular company, is a
telephone company that provides services for
mobile phone subscribers.
The process of becoming a mobile network operator within a country usually begins by acquiring a
radio spectrum licence from the government. The precise spectrum obtained does depend on the type of
mobile phone technology the operator intends to deploy. For example, a
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network will require a
GSM frequency range.
The
government may allocate spectrum using whichever method it chooses, although the most common method is an
auction. Recent allocation of
3G licences in
Europe have been sold by auction to the highest bidder.
Another category of mobile network operator is emerging in some markets called the
Mobile Virtual Network Operator or
MVNO. As far as the subscriber is concerned, they seem identical to regular mobile network operators. The critical difference is that they do not own the underlying network, but lease it instead from another incumbent operator in that country.
*
list of mobile network operators*
List of Telcos that provide SMPP Gateway connectivity*
Global directory of MVNOs (virtual operators), existing analyst research and free news service
