MWC26 MVNO Summit: MVNOs as platforms – the future of virtual operators

At first glance, the mobile virtual network operator model might appear mature. Companies have offered mobile services without owning network infrastructure for decades. However, discussions at the MVNO Summit at MWC26 Barcelona suggested the model is being redefined. Increasingly, the discussion is turning towards MVNOs as platforms, with greater emphasis on programmability, APIs, partnerships and embedded services.  

Across the summit’s presentations and panel discussions, a strong theme was the need to differentiate beyond price. The next generation of MVNOs will not succeed simply by being cheaper alternatives to traditional operators. Instead, they must differentiate themselves by becoming programmable connectivity platforms built on partnerships, APIs and ecosystems. In other words, the future MVNO may be defined less by resale alone and more by how it orchestrates services, partnerships and customer experience. 

This change reflects a broader transformation across the mobile industry. The sector is entering a new phase shaped by technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and new IoT capabilities. John Murray, Director at Tango Networks, suggested the shift is already under way. “For years, the MVNO has been a known quantity. But as technology rapidly evolves, simply being a virtual operator is no longer enough. The future lies in agility and control. Deep integration allows internal connectivity to move from a service into a platform.” 

The MVNO market is evolving

The commercial dynamics of the MVNO market are evolving. Customer acquisition costs are rising. Connectivity is becoming increasingly commoditised too. Competition is intensifying, particularly in travel eSIM, while price pressure is making it harder to compete on connectivity alone. As a result, MVNOs are under more pressure to differentiate through services and experience. 

Many MVNOs are therefore looking for ways to build new services and revenue streams around connectivity. Instead of focusing only on network access, MVNOs are beginning to integrate mobile services with wider digital ecosystems. These ecosystems include travel, retail and enterprise platforms. This change is pushing some MVNOs towards a more platform-oriented role, where connectivity becomes one part of a broader service offering. 

Antonio Xu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Billion Connect, said providers must “think about how to enlarge revenue with other services.” He explained that companies should link connectivity with retail, travel experiences and digital commerce. Pablo Iacopino, Head of Research and Commercial Content at GSMA Intelligence, said the convergence of new technologies is opening new opportunities for innovation. “New technologies like cloud and AI bring new opportunities for revenues and enhancing the customer experience.”

The rise of the programmable MVNO

A major theme of the summit was the growing importance of APIs and platform architecture. As Tango Networks’ John Murray said, “the API driven model is a necessary evolution.” In the past, systems integration often required long deployment cycles. Now, programmable connectivity allows developers to treat mobile services like any other cloud-based component. These developments support the move toward a model of MVNOs as platforms, where network capabilities are integrated through software. 

The implications are significant. Connectivity can increasingly be embedded into travel services, enterprise platforms, IoT deployments and trusted digital brands. That creates scope for MVNOs to support new business models beyond connectivity alone. 

This platform approach also unlocks capabilities that go well beyond traditional connectivity services. With API level access to network flows, organisations can build applications such as compliance monitoring, scam screening and AI-driven analytics. Murray described scenarios that include call recording and transcription for regulated industries. He also highlighted network level filtering that protects vulnerable users from scam calls. In that sense, connectivity becomes programmable. 

eSIM, IoT and the expansion of the connectivity ecosystem

Several technological shifts are accelerating transformation. One of the most important is the rapid adoption of eSIM. This technology removes many of the logistical barriers that previously constrained mobile services. 

For travel connectivity providers, eSIM has already reshaped the roaming market. Global travel is rebounding strongly. As a result, demand for flexible mobile connectivity is increasing. Consequently, another opportunity lies in using eSIM platforms to integrate connectivity into wider digital ecosystems. This development further supports the evolution of MVNOs as platforms, as providers look for broader service roles beyond connectivity alone. 

IoT is another powerful driver of change. Deploying devices globally introduces challenges that traditional models struggle to address. These challenges include roaming restrictions, data sovereignty requirements and automated connectivity management. 

Tony Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of Eseye, highlighted the complexity of global device deployments. Enterprises may operate hundreds of thousands of connected machines across multiple countries. Each device requires reliable connectivity for many years. “IoT is difficult, very difficult,” Byrne said. “You are trying to unify multiple mobile network operators across multiple territories without the need for human intervention.” 

Therefore, this situation creates opportunities for MVNOs. Providers can offer multi profile connectivity architectures that dynamically provision local network profiles depending on where a device is located.

Partnerships become the new competitive advantage

Partnership was another strong theme, particularly in the panel discussion, where speakers argued that no single organisation can build the next generation of connectivity services alone.  Modern solutions rely on collaboration between mobile operators, MVNOs, platform providers, cloud companies and developers. In many cases, the value of the ecosystem outweighs the capabilities of any individual participant. 

Tony Byrne also emphasised the need for deeper cooperation between MVNOs. He suggested that fewer connected devices have been deployed than expected because it is “too complex.” Byrne added that “MVNOs need to work more in partnership to offer combined services.” 

Hakan Koç, Chief Executive Officer of 1GLOBAL, looked at the issue from the perspective of the end user. He pointed out that the successful connectivity platforms will be the ones that solve real problems rather than simply showcasing technology. “Find one AI use case that creates real world value for your customer and double down on it,” he suggested. 

This shift in expectations reveals a deeper change in the MVNO landscape. Connectivity is increasingly embedded within digital services such as banking apps, enterprise platforms and travel ecosystems. As a result, users often experience connectivity indirectly. The underlying network becomes invisible, while the service built on top becomes the differentiator. 

A new layer of digital infrastructure

From this perspective, programmable connectivity begins to resemble other software-based service models, where infrastructure is exposed through APIs and integrated into wider digital products. 

This creates new opportunities for digital innovation. Enterprises can integrate mobile capabilities directly into business processes. IoT manufacturers can deploy devices globally without managing multiple carrier relationships. Fintech platforms can embed connectivity directly into their customer experience. Overall, the result is a mobile ecosystem in which MVNOs can play a larger role in service integration, distribution and customer experience.

MVNOs as platforms

Discussions at the MVNO Summit did not produce a single blueprint for the future of the industry. However, they suggested that the rules of the market are changing. Connectivity itself is no longer the final product. Instead, it forms the foundation for new services and ecosystems. 

As the summit concluded, Hakan Koç provided a simple piece of advice for MVNOs navigating this transition. “If you have a trusting user-base and you solve real problems for them then you can really scale,” he said. 

The MVNO model began as a way to expand competition in mobile markets. Today it is evolving into something more complex. It is becoming a programmable interface between networks and the digital economy. As discussions at the MVNO Summit suggested, the future of MVNOs will be shaped not only by connectivity, but by the partnerships, platforms and services built around it.