28. MVNO: Mobile Virtual Network Operators 101 – How Boost, Metro, and Other Alternative Carriers Work

5G Guys
5G Guys
28. MVNO: Mobile Virtual Network Operators 101 - How Boost, Metro, and Other Alternative Carriers Work
Loading
/
Listen to this episode to get the skinny on what an MVNO is and what that means to you. We think itโ€™s safe to say that Americans love their streaming and online entertainment. According to the average U.S. smartphone user now consumes a total of...

Listen to this episode to get the skinny on what an MVNO is and what that means to you.


We think itโ€™s safe to say that Americans love their streaming and online entertainment. According to NPD, the average U.S. smartphone user now consumes a total of 31.4 GB of data on a monthly basis. Thatโ€™s up fully 25% from a year prior. These numbers are clearly staggering and only seem to be on the rise as each year passes. However, they donโ€™t speak for all U.S. citizens and people around the world who are in need of alternative smartphone coverage.

Welcome back to another episode of the 5G Guys! Or maybe more accurately, 5G Guy! Itโ€™s just me, Dan here today as my co-host Wayne travels internationally. I thought a solo-cast would be a great opportunity to take a deep dive into the topic ofย  M.V.N.O. and why they could be a great carrier option for you and your family if you donโ€™t need an unlimited data plan.

What doesย  M.V.N.O stand for?

M: Mobile

V: Virtual

N: Network

O: Operators

What’s a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)?ย  If you’re not buying your cellular phone service from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, you’re probably buying service from an MVNO, which has several implications for knowing whose network you’re actually using. By the end of the episode, youโ€™ll hear the history of how MVNO started, how they grew to a $16 Billion dollar industry, how these companies have made more affordable options for many across the globe, and more.

If you remember the days when changing carriers was a total nightmare, and you had to get a new number, youโ€™ll be interested to hear how the F.C.C. played a role in solving that problem for the consumer and how they paved the road for this innovation of cell provider.

Youโ€™ll also hear how these M.V.N.O. providers are actually connected with โ€œThe Big 3โ€ carriers and how they use the same tech to keep everyone connected at different rates and speeds. We hope you enjoy this one โ€œ101โ€ level overview! If you have an M.V.N.O. provider and want to know more about what carrier you may be connected to, see the links below!

More Of Whatโ€™s Inside:

  • The pros and cons of M.V.N.O. providers
  • Dan’s personal experience with M.V.N.O.
  • What people say about the customer experience
  • What networks run off The Big 3
  • Do you have rights to your phone number?
  • How these providers support 36 million subscribers
  • How manyย  M.V.N.O. providers there are in the U.S.
  • Howย  M.V.N.O. providers can save your family money
  • And Much More!

Episode Specific Links:

Connect With Us:

Sponsor Links:

Website:

Social:

Submit Your Ideas or Feedback:

Episode Minute By Minute:

  • 0:02 Thank you to todayโ€™s spouse
  • 0:56 What to expect on todayโ€™s episode
  • 1:50 Letโ€™s dive into M.V.N.O. 101
  • 3:19 When the FCC made it easier to switch carriers
  • 5:57 Alternative networks in the U.S.
  • 10:30 How many customersย  M.V.N.O. servers cover in 2022
  • 11:34 The difference betweenย  M.V.N.O. and big carriers
  • 16:46 The difference in engineering and customer support
  • 18:45 Whoย  M.V.N.O. servers work well for

More Episodes

5G Guys
5G Guys
54. What Do Tomatoes, Forklifts, and Cows Have In Common?
Loading
/
5G and Advanced Positioning Technologies: Revolutionizing Location-based Services ย  The podcast episode features Samuel Van de Velde, founder and CTO of Pozyx, discussing the impact of 5G and other advanced technologies on location-based...
5G Guys
5G Guys
53. Fixed Wireless Access with Samsung's TJ Maan
Loading
/
In this 5G Guys podcast episode, Wayne and Dan welcome TJ Maan from Samsung to discuss Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). TJ explains what FWA is and its benefits over traditional wireline broadband delivery technologies, noting its speed, reliability, and...
5G Guys
5G Guys
52. Season 4 Premier - Does 5G stink, cellular for the holidays, what's with Xfinity's 10G?!
Loading
/
In this season 4 premier of the 5G Guys Podcast, hosts Dan McVaugh and Wayne Smith review the state of 5G technology and industry updates leading up to the year 2024. They explore 5G's progression in the US, discussing the coverage expansion by...
5G Guys
5G Guys
51. Season 3 Wrap Up
Loading
/
Thatโ€™s a wrap!ย  Wayne and Dan wrap up season 3 of the podcast by doing a fantasy football-style draft of their favorite season 3 episodes.ย  This countdown of favorite episodes is a great way to get a summary of some of the best episodes...
5G Guys
5G Guys
50. 2023 Mid-year Update
Loading
/
Now that weโ€™re right in the middle of 2023, itโ€™s a great time to look at how our pre-2023 predictions are holding up as well as what big events and announcements occurred in the US wireless and broadband industries. In this episode, Wayne and Dan...
5G Guys
5G Guys
49. The Cable vs Cellular Service Soap Opera
Loading
/
What can best be described as an โ€œincestuous, co-dependent, and competitiveโ€ relationship, major US cellular and cable service providers have found themselves in an interesting competitive yet partnering dance. On one hand, cable companies offer...
5G Guys
5G Guys
48. Shaping the Future of Communication: A Deep Dive with Telzioโ€™s Peter Schroeder
Loading
/
Welcome back to the 5G Guys podcast! We were joined by an exceptional guest, Peter Schroeder. As a young entrepreneur and Danish DJ turned CEO of the telecommunications platform Telzio, Peter has a unique journey. Peter's success isn't just about his...
5G Guys
5G Guys
47. From Fiber Optics to 5G: Verizonโ€™s Evolution: with Executive Phillip French
Loading
/
Hey there, 5G enthusiasts! Whether youโ€™re a seasoned expert in the field or just curious about the next generation of connectivity, we've got a treat for you. In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Phillip French from Verizon! If you've ever...
5G Guys
5G Guys
46. 5G To 6G?: Ignacio Contreras with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Loading
/
Ever wondered about the powerhouse behind wireless technology and how 5G chipsets are being developed? In this episode of the 5G Guys Podcast, hosts Wayne Smith and Dan McVaugh welcome Ignacio Contreras, Qualcomm's Sr. Director of Product Marketing,...
5G Guys
5G Guys
45. AT&T's Robot Dogs and Drone Cell Sites with Art Pregler
Loading
/
Welcome back to the 5G Guys! Today weโ€™re going to talk about some pretty cool technology that AT&T has been working on. You might be familiar with AT&T as your phone or internet provider, but did you know that theyโ€™ve been developing some...

Download Magazine

With Subscription
Whitepaper
Explore how Generative AI is transforming telecom infrastructure by solving critical industry challenges like massive data management, network optimization, and personalized customer experiences. This whitepaper offers in-depth insights into AI and Gen AI's role in boosting operational efficiency while ensuring security and regulatory compliance. Telecom operators can harness these AI-driven...
Supermicro and Nvidia Logo
Whitepaper
The whitepaper, "How Is Generative AI Optimizing Operational Efficiency and Assurance," provides an in-depth exploration of how Generative AI is transforming the telecom industry. It highlights how AI-driven solutions enhance customer support, optimize network performance, and drive personalized marketing strategies. Additionally, the whitepaper addresses the challenges of integrating AI into...
RADCOM Logo
Article & Insights
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have evolved from experimental satellite systems to integral components of global connectivity. The transition from geostationary satellites to low Earth orbit constellations has significantly enhanced mobile broadband services. With the adoption of 3GPP standards, NTNs now seamlessly integrate with terrestrial networks, providing expanded coverage and new opportunities,...

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top