Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Business, Discount, M2M, Media), By Operational Model (Full MVNO, Reseller MVNO), By Service (4G MVNO), By Contract, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Market Size & Trends

The global mobile virtual network operator market size was estimated at USD 88.06 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2025 to 2030. The increasing adoption of MVNOs can be attributed to affordable plans, flexible options, no credit checks, wide device compatibility, and specialized plans.

Moreover, the companies in the MVNO market have been involved in various strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations, among others. For instance, in July 2023, Spitfire Network Services Limited (a UK-based provider of fixed-line voice, internet, and WAN services to businesses) declared a full MVNO deal with BT Wholesale (a UK-based telecom service provider). According to the partnership, Spitfire's latest generation core network will be interconnected with BT Group's EE 4G and 5G Radio Access Network, offering better security, first-class connectivity, and flexible and innovative billing plans.

The advancement in 5G technology is expected to further drive the growth of the market, owing to the benefits including network slicing, fixed wireless access, and eSIMs, among others. The companies in the MVNO industry have been proactive in coming up with initiatives to tap into the 5G mobile virtual network operator market. For instance, in February 2023, Celcom Berhad (a Malaysian MVNO provider) announced the rollout of 5G. According to the company, customers with a 5G-supported Android device and a subscription to a 5G pass are eligible to experience free trials from 15th February onwards. To access the free 5G trial services, customers must subscribe to any high-speed data plan ranging from 10 GB to 200 GB. The 5G roaming services will also be available in more than ten countries. Such initiatives will attract consumers to the market owing to the benefits of 5G, thereby driving the growth of the MVNO industry from 2025 to 2030. To access the free 5G trial services, customers must subscribe to a high-speed data plan ranging from 10GB to 200 GB. Currently, 5G roaming service is available in more than ten countries.

Integrating advanced technologies such as AI and ML into the MVNO is expected to accelerate the MVNO market growth from 2025 to 2030. MVNOs use AI technology to improve customer experience, increase efficiency, and streamline operations. Although previously mentioned, some of the common AI usage varies between MVNOs and depends upon size, resources, and investment into technology. Moreover, various companies in the MVNO industry have been involved in various initiatives aimed at the integration of AI into MVNO technologies. For instance, in July 2023, Mobile X Global, Inc. (U.S.-based MVNO) pledged its allegiance to AI and the cloud. The company launched its commercial wireless services in the U.S. using AI technology and developed a cloud-native platform for its offerings. Such initiatives taken by the company operating in the MVNO industry would attract customers into MVNOs who utilize AI, thereby driving the growth of the MVNO industry from 2025 to 2030.

The integration of blockchain technology is another major technological factor driving the growth of the market for MVNO; the integration of blockchain technology would offer various benefits to MVNOs, which include maintaining a tamper-proof record of all transactions, reducing/eliminating the chances of billing discrepancies and fraud. Blockchain technology can significantly improve the operational efficiency of MVNOs, as MVNOs rely on complex web intermediaries for services, including roaming, which increases costs and inefficiencies. However, blockchain technology can automate all these processes that can be simplified and automated, thereby helping to reduce operational costs and enhance customer service. Blockchain technology also helps in the MVNO market by increasing transparency and providing transaction records of all transactions, which helps users understand the areas being charged for. All these attributes contribute to the rapid adoption of blockchain technology in the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) industry, thereby fueling the growth of the market.

The evolution of hybrid MVNO is another major trend in the market, gaining traction in recent years. The proliferation of tablets and smartphones and seamless connectivity have become a crucial part of wireless operators' service offerings and a requirement to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. With the 5G technology advancement and shared spectrum, MSOs (Multiple System Operators) actively evaluate offload prospects for improving MVNO economics. They are planning to deploy their mobile radio infrastructure in certain geographic areas. These MSOs are required to deal with three disparate sets of wireless infrastructures: MSO's own 4G/5G network, MNO's 4G/5G network, and MSO's community Wi-Fi network, which is creating a new set of MVNO models named hybrid-MVNO, which enables MVNO to offload the traffic of MNO network subscribers to Wi-Fi networks and MVNO-owned mobile networks when inside the coverage of wireless networks.

Type Insights

The discount segment held the largest share of 24.2% in 2024. This segment primarily targets individuals and families who prioritize affordability over premium features, making it especially appealing to low-income users, students, and prepaid customers. Operators in this category typically offer no-frills voice, text, and data plans at highly competitive prices by minimizing operational overhead and avoiding extensive infrastructure investments. The popularity of online-only service models and simplified customer acquisition strategies has further fueled growth in this segment. As economic uncertainty and inflation pressures persist, the demand for discount mobile services is expected to rise, encouraging MVNOs in this space to continue innovating with flexible billing, device financing, and digital support services to maintain customer loyalty and expand their user base.

The M2M segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, driven by the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) across industries such as logistics, healthcare, smart cities, and agriculture. M2M MVNOs provide connectivity solutions that enable devices to communicate and exchange data autonomously, without human intervention. These operators typically offer highly reliable, low-latency data services with wide geographic coverage, supporting critical applications such as fleet tracking, remote monitoring, asset management, and smart metering. The increasing demand for real-time data exchange, combined with advancements in 5G and LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technologies, has positioned M2M MVNOs as essential enablers of digital transformation. As more businesses adopt IoT solutions, the M2M MVNO segment is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring secure, scalable, and efficient device connectivity across the U.S. market.

Operational Model Insights

The full MVNO segment held the largest market share in 2024. The full MVNO segment led the market in terms of revenue in 2024. Implementing a full MVNO network infrastructure involves minimal capital investment and provides complete call control, allowing customers to call internationally at highly discounted rates. The emergence of MVNOs results from regulatory interventions to lower the barriers to entry and eventually increase competition and strategic decisions undertaken by MNOs.

The reseller MVNO segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, due to its low barrier to entry and cost-effective operational model. Unlike other MVNO types, reseller MVNOs do not own infrastructure or manage network elements. Instead, they purchase network access in bulk from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and resell it under their own brand. This enables them to focus on marketing, customer service, and targeting specific user demographics without the heavy capital investment required for infrastructure. The rise in digital-savvy consumers and demand for tailored, budget-friendly plans has made the reseller MVNO model particularly attractive. These operators often cater to underserved or niche markets by offering competitive pricing, multilingual support, and flexible plan structures. As the telecom landscape becomes more customer-centric and data-driven, reseller MVNOs that emphasize personalization, loyalty programs, and seamless digital experiences are positioned to thrive in a highly competitive environment.

Service Insights

The 4G MVNO segment dominated the market in 2024. The growth of the 4G MVNO segment can be attributed to the increasing demand for high-speed mobile data and improved connectivity. Since 4G technology enables seamless video streaming, improved browsing experiences, and app downloads, consumers are opting for 4G technology, which has been a major contributor to the growth of the 4G MVNO segment over the forecast period. Moreover, the 4G MVNO had capitalized on the increasing demand for smartphones and data-savvy devices to cater to a wide range of users, businesses, and IoT devices. The combination of affordable data plans and flexible pricing options has paved the way for the 4G MVNO segment growth in the market.

The 5G MVNO segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. With the rollout of 5G technology globally, 5G MVNOs have been leveraging the capabilities of 5G technology, including high data speed, low latency, and increased network capacity, enabling improved user experience. The increasing demand for data-intensive contracts has resulted in the growth of 5G MVNOs, and the growth of this segment is expected to continue to grow stronger over the period 2025 to 2030.

Contract Insights

The prepaid MVNO segment dominated the market in 2024. The growth of the prepaid MVNO can be attributed to the benefits offered to the customer, which include flexible and cost-effective alternatives compared to traditional postpaid plans. Moreover, the companies in the market have been coming up with various initiatives such as new product launches, mergers, and acquisitions, among others, which have helped drive the growth of the prepaid MVNO. In September 2022, Xiaomi (a Chinese smartphone maker) announced two new prepaid wireless plans as its debut in the industry to compete against the Chinese national carriers. The entry of new players in the market, which has a wide customer base and popularity, is expected to drive the adoption of prepaid MVNOs, thereby driving market growth.

The postpaid MVNO segment is projected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. The postpaid MVNO majorly caters to a section of the customers who opt for monthly billing and are going for long-term contracts, for which, in return, additional benefits are offered to customers. The postpaid MVNOs offer competitive pricing, unlimited data, and truly international calling, among others, which have impacted the growth of the postpaid MVNO segment.

End-use Insights

The consumer segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Increasing network speed and using advanced devices enable the growth of data applications such as internet browsing and video streaming. Increasing investments are made to improve network coverage and growth in Mobile Broadband (MBB) connections. The MVNO model offers benefits such as time efficiency and cost-effectiveness, which are expected to lure more consumers, accelerating the growth of the consumer segment.

The enterprise segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Managing connected living, personal data, and rising e-commerce activities are also anticipated to provide significant growth opportunities for key players operating in the market, along with increasing consumer benefits. Intelligent networks connecting a wide range of devices enable increased productivity of enterprises. The partnership between MNOs and MVNOs depends on brand reputation, distribution network, promotional strategies, and access to segments. The MVNO model is turning from voice to a more data-centric experience. MVNOs worldwide are opting for data-capable smartphones to expand their business.

Regional Insights

The North America Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) industry accounted for a 39.5% share of the overall market in 2024. The growth of the MVNO market in North America can be attributed to the strategic initiatives happening in the region aimed at improving the MVNO offerings. For instance, in May 2023, Mobi announced the signing of an exclusive multi-year MVNO arrangement with T-Mobile, allowing Mobi customers to access the strength of the countrywide T-Mobile network from their homes on the islands and throughout the continental United States. By fusing the industry-leading 5G speeds, consistency, and coverage that T-Mobile has established through its extraordinary investments and expertise in 5G, with Mobi's warm Hawaii stores and amiable customer service team, Mobi will be able to provide an even better experience for its customers.

U.S. Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Trends

The U.S. Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) industry is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing demand for affordable and flexible mobile services, particularly among cost-conscious consumers. The market is projected to grow significantly over the coming years, supported by the widespread adoption of 5G technology, which enables MVNOs to offer high-speed, low-latency services essential for data-intensive applications like streaming, gaming, and IoT. The industry is highly fragmented, with operators competing through pricing strategies, service differentiation, and niche market targeting. Emerging trends such as the integration of eSIM technology, expansion into IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) services, and enhanced cybersecurity measures are shaping the competitive landscape. In addition, MVNOs are increasingly offering tailored services to specific user segments, from travelers to enterprise clients, and providing flexible billing options to meet diverse consumer needs. As technology and customer preferences evolve, MVNOs that embrace innovation and strategic differentiation are well-positioned to capture greater market share in the dynamic U.S. telecom sector.

Europe Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Trends

The Europe region dominated the market in 2022, accounting for a market share above 47.4% in 2024. The Europe Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) industry was identified as a lucrative region in 2024, and the growth can be attributed to the favorable regulatory framework, which is expected to play a crucial role in developing the MVNO. Countries such as the UK, Germany, and France are projected to positively impact regional growth from 2025 to 2030. Data services are expected to be the key services for regional growth from 2025 to 2030.

Germany’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator industry thrives due to rapid deployment of cloud-based solutions, the growing use of segment-targeted pricing and creative distribution tactics, government actions to encourage MVNO operators, and other factors are responsible for the expansion of the mobile virtual network operator industry in Germany.

The Mobile Virtual Network Operator industry in the UK is witnessing growth due to various companies' strategic initiatives that are aimed at improving their network. For instance, in June 2023, Vodafone and Three announced a merger aimed at creating a huge network. The firms confirmed that Vodafone would own a controlling position in the new group, but only to the extent that it would own 51% of the new business, with the option to purchase the remaining 31% later to build one of Europe's most advanced standalone 5G networks, the two claim that the resulting company will invest USD 12.14 billion in the United Kingdom over the next ten years.

Asia Pacific Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Trends

Asia Pacific Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) industry is projected to experience significant growth from 2025 to 2030. The growth in this region can be attributed to the phenomenal expansion of the telecom services industry. Emerging economies in the region, such as India, Vietnam, and Myanmar, are making efforts to expand and modernize their telecommunication services. Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines are also estimated to contribute substantially to the regional market expansion from 2025 to 2030.

Countries with advanced cellular networks, such as Malaysia, Japan, and Australia, are expected to expand the Asia Pacific regional market significantly. For instance, in Japan, MVNOs provide services such as online gaming, remote management of vending machines, M2M, and surveillance. In the healthcare sector, they also offer voice-controlled services for patient monitoring and security applications.

The China Mobile Virtual Network Operator industry growth can be attributed to an increasing partnership among various participants in the MVNO market aimed at offering advanced solutions. For instance, in November 2023, IPLOOK Networks and China Mobile partnered to initiate the co-development of 5GC UPF via satellite. This development holds great importance for the advancement and utilization of 5G NTN technology. In collaboration with China Mobile, IPLOOK actively supports the implementation of 5GC UPF on satellite by utilizing the successes and cutting-edge discoveries in the mobile network sector to create an orbiting, lightweight core network that complements the terrestrial cellular network. Comprehensive validation testing is still in progress.

Mobile Virtual Network Operator industry in India is growing rapidly. The growth of the MVNO market in India can be attributed to the initiatives by the government aimed at improving the country’s telecommunication infrastructure. For instance, in March 2023, the Government of India released India's 6G Vision document and announced that 6G-related initiatives will be launched within six months of the 5G launch. According to the vision document published by the Ministry of Telecommunications, 5G technology has a maximum speed of 40-1100 Mbps and can reach 10,000 Mbps. However, 6G technology offers very low latency, up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps), which is a thousand times faster than the maximum speed offered by 5G.

Key Mobile Virtual Network Operator Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the MVNO market include TracFone Wireless, Inc., Boost Mobile, Virgin Plus, Lyca Mobile, and FRiENDi, among others, due to a combination of strategic partnerships with established mobile network operators, extensive customer bases, competitive pricing models, and strong brand recognition. These companies often leverage innovative marketing strategies and flexible service offerings to cater to niche market segments such as budget-conscious consumers, ethnic communities, or travelers. Their ability to operate without owning physical network infrastructure allows them to minimize capital expenditure while focusing on customer acquisition and service differentiation. Furthermore, their agility in adopting emerging technologies and expanding into new geographic markets contributes to their sustained competitiveness in the dynamic telecommunications landscape.

• TracFone Wireless, Inc. offers a variety of plans, which include calls, text, and data. The company also offers a variety of phones from popular manufacturers such as Apple, Motorola, Samsung, and Alcatel. TracFone Wireless leases network access from the three largest wireless network operators in the United States: T-Mobile US, AT&T Mobility, and Verizon.

• Boost Mobile offers a variety of prepaid plans, which range from one month to a year. The company also offers access to T-Mobile and AT&T’s 4G/LTE and 5G networks. Boost Mobile offers phone plans that range from 1GB to 30 GB of high-speed internet data per month, with its unlimited data plan offering. Boost Mobile also offers a variety of features that are not available on traditional wireless carriers, which include the ability to be your own phone and the ability to switch plans without penalty.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, FRiENDi Mobile signed a long-term agreement with Vodafone Oman to migrate approximately 800,000 customers onto Vodafone’s advanced 5G network. The migration, scheduled to begin in December 2024, is expected to deliver faster speeds, improved coverage, and enhanced reliability for FRiENDi Mobile users, marking a significant upgrade in Oman’s MVNO landscape.

• In November 2023, Tesco Mobile Ireland announced a new referral program, which rewards referrers and new customers for their advocacy. The company launched in Ireland in 2013 and has more than 1 million customers with a network coverage of over 99%. With the new referral program, the company aims to capture more customers and gain better traction in the Irish mobile virtual network operator market.

Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Report Scope

Global Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global mobile virtual network operator market report based on type, operational model, service, contract,end use, and region.

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Business

  • Discount

  • M2M

  • Media

  • Migrant

  • Retail

  • Roaming

  • Telecom

• Operational Model Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Full MVNO

  • Reseller MVNO

  • Service Operator MVNO

• Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • 4G MVNO

  • 5G MVNO

  • Others

• Contract Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Prepaid MVNO

  • Postpaid MVNO

• End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Consumer

  • Enterprise

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • Hong Kong

    • Malaysia

    • Japan

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • Oman

    • South Africa