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
35. Plum Cases to the Rescue
Loading
/
In 2022 when you read the news or hear about the latest technological innovations, it can start to seem like we canโ€™t go any higher as a human raceโ€ฆ However, when we study history and look back at the greatest moments of breakthroughs and...
5G Guys
5G Guys
34. Impacts of Inflation on 5G
Loading
/
Inflation is affecting everyone from the top down. Even the big tech companies who are in charge of rolling out 5G technology and new telecommunications infrastructureโ€ฆbut it begs the question: what's the damage? Welcome back to another episode of...
5G Guys
5G Guys
33. Update: 5G Deployment Progress In The US 2022
Loading
/
Is this 5G thing ever going to happen? We have an industry progress report to help answer that question.ย  Welcome back to the 5G Guys! Anyone that's been listening for a while knows that we finished up our season last year by giving some...
5G Guys
5G Guys
32. How Fiber Networks are Leveraged To Run 4G and 5G with Brian Daniels with Zayo
Loading
/
Itโ€™s a fact, fiber keeps things running smoothlyโ€ฆno, not that kind of fiber. Today we are talking about fiber networks! 4G and 5G connection and technology are heavily dependent on fiber networks.ย  Wireless services can't deliver blazing...
5G Guys
5G Guys
31. Sporting Event and Arena Tech with Jason Jennings with Mortenson Construction
Loading
/
They say 3rd time's a charm right? Welcome back to another episode of the 5G Guys! This episode marks the official start of season 3! Before we get started, we wanted to take a second and say thank you to each and every one of you who listen to the...
5G Guys
5G Guys
30. Technology Convergence with Paul Stager of EdgeQ
Loading
/
Remember when you were a kid, and you tied two cups together with a string and used it as a phone? Or maybe you remember the first time you opened up AOL chat and got to talk with a friend instantly. In 2022 it takes a lot more to keep people...
5G Guys
5G Guys
29. The Incredible World of Aviation: Expert Vance Hilderman Talks 5G Interference
Loading
/
Welcome to another episode of The 5G Guys! Dan here again, on the last two shows I have been flying solo as my co-host Wayne continues to travel the world. While he is jet-setting, we thought it would be the perfect time to get the latest insight into...
5G Guys
5G Guys
27. In-flight Cellular with Fred Teichman of GoGo Wireless
Loading
/
Back in the day, air travel looked a lot different than it does today. People would dress to the nines, the isles were wider and the seating was roomier, the finest food would be brought to your seat even if you werenโ€™t first-class and so much more....
5G Guys
5G Guys
26. How Cellular Carriers Make Money
Loading
/
Itโ€™s safe to say that the smartphone revolution has grown past a trend and moved into a modern necessity. A survey done in 2014 stated that 47% of adults believed they couldnโ€™t last a day without their cellphone. With advancements in technology...
5G Guys
5G Guys
25. Wi-Fi 101: With Dr. Jim Lansford
Loading
/
Itโ€™s in our houses, connected to our phones, and our tablets. Sometimes itโ€™s even in our cars, thermostats, and fridges, but does anyone really know how Wi-Fi works? Welcome back to the 5G Guys podcast! Our guest today is Qualcomm's Director of...

Download Magazine

With Subscription

It seems we can't find what you're looking for.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top