The number of mobile subscribers using Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) will increase from 333 million globally in 2026 to 438 million in 2030, finds Juniper Research.
Key to this substantial growth of more than 100 million subscribers will be ‘MVNO in a Box’ platforms, which are enabling a surge in enterprises and brands launching mobile connectivity services – which offer telemedia players an opportunity to bundle connectivity and content together in a simple package.
Juniper Research defines an MVNO as a mobile service provider that leases wholesale capacity from mobile network operators, without owning its own network infrastructure.
An extract from the new report, MVNO in a Box Market 2026-2030, is available as a free download.
Why MVNOs matter in telemedia
MVNOs are increasingly important in telemedia because they let brands, content platforms and digital services bundle mobile connectivity into their own offerings without owning radio infrastructure, turning “connectivity” into just another layer of digital service and billing.
MVNOs let media, OTT and digital brands offer mobile plans alongside content, for example, video or gaming subscriptions that include data, deepening customer relationships and creating new recurring revenue.
Telemedia players use MVNO arrangements to embed connectivity directly into apps or devices (for example, a streaming service or smart device that “just works” out of the box with included data), reducing friction for onboarding and billing.
MVNOs can bundle zero‑rated or discounted access to specific apps and content, positioning themselves as curated gateways to telemedia ecosystems rather than generic connectivity providers.
Analytics from MVNO subscriber bases (usage patterns, content preferences, roaming behavior) can support personalization and upsell for telemedia products, as MVNOs move toward more hyper‑personalized bundles
Because they ride on host MNO networks, MVNOs can target narrow niches –travellers, youth, IoT, enterprise, or fans of a particular media or other brand – without the capex of building networks. This makes them a flexible distribution channel for telemedia services.
In many markets there are now hundreds of active MVNOs and regulators view them as a way to boost competition, lower prices, and stimulate innovation in digital services that depend on always‑on connectivity.
Personalisation key to market share
However, the study also indicates that emerging MVNOs must clearly differentiate themselves from incumbent service providers by leveraging their existing businesses to deliver distinct, compelling value propositions; identifying rewards and customer loyalty schemes as key tools enabling MVNOs to achieve this and capitalise on future growth.
New MVNOs, says the report, must leverage existing internal customer data to develop personalised mobile subscription offerings, including data allowances, which align with their customer segments and demands. This additional personalisation will provide new MVNOs with a competitive advantage over established players, allowing them to quickly acquire a niche in cellular connectivity markets.
Alex Webb, Senior Research Analyst at Juniper Research, says: “Enterprises must invest in comprehensive analytics platforms which leverage data across their business to identify strategies and campaigns which can effectively convert existing customers into subscribers to their MVNO.”
