Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu
Excuse my ignorance, but what is an MNO and how does it differ from a MVNO?
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MNO Mobile Network Operator
MVNO Mobile Virtual Network Operator
Mobile network operator - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The essential characteristic that defines a mobile network operator is that they must have acquired a radio spectrum license from the government before they can offer mobile phone service within a country.
Another category of mobile network operator is emerging in some markets called the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (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 of base stations, but lease it instead from another incumbent operator in that country.
A mobile operator may also act as an MVNO, for example if they do not have coverage in a particular geographical region. This is also called National Roaming. The operator may actually own a license to operate but they have chosen not to deploy assets there (for example Meteor uses the Vodafone network in the west of Ireland). Alternatively the operator may not own a particular frequency (for example 3 uses the Orange network for 2G services in the UK).
So basicly if you are and MNO you have bought a spectrum to operate a mobile network and you have your own telecom equipment. As many people will know buying a frequentiy in Countries like UK, Germany, Netherlands or any bigger country will cost you ten, hundred of millions or even more.
It could we be that and island like Jersey is a lot cheaper to buy a frequenty but I guess you would still have to put down infra structure to operate the network and this equipment does not come cheap.
As for Maxroam, if they are an MNO the would be registered somewhere as they will also be looking for roaming agreements with other mno's and it should be no problem telling where they have their mno license. Any proper mno is open about this.
As for me maxroam doesn't really interest me, to expensive anyhow and nothing really new unless you don't want callback and pay a higher rate.