{"id":15244,"date":"2024-02-23T12:49:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-23T12:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/?p=15244"},"modified":"2025-10-17T13:31:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T12:31:17","slug":"single-wholesale-networks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/mobile-policy-handbook\/business-environment\/single-wholesale-networks\/","title":{"rendered":"Single wholesale networks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background<\/h3>\n

Single wholesale networks (SWNs), also known as single-distributor, government-initiated monopolies or wholesale open access networks (WOANs), were implemented by some countries in the mid- to late-2010s. Considered by policymakers as an alternative to competitive mobile networks for the delivery of mobile broadband services in 4G or 5G, SWNs have become less popular.<\/p>\n

Supporters of SWNs argued that they addressed certain concerns better than traditional network competition. These concerns generally included lack of coverage or inadequate competition in rural areas, inefficient use of radio spectrum, or fears that the private sector lacked incentives to maximise\u00a0 coverage or investment. However, SWNs have proven to be unsuccessful in solving any of these problems and have largely been abandoned for competition-based approaches.<\/p>\n

Government-initiated network monopolies require mobile operators and others to rely on wholesale services from the SWN as they serve and compete for retail customers. While there are variations in the SWN proposals discussed and implemented by different governments, mobile operators are limited to providing broadband in one technology (4G or 5G) solely via the SWN in most cases.<\/p>\n

Debate<\/h3>\n

Are SWNs likely to increase the quality and reach of next-generation mobile broadband, compared with the existing approach of network competition?<\/em><\/p>\n

What alternative policies should be considered before adopting a monopoly wholesale network model?<\/em><\/p>\n

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\n

<\/p>\n

Industry position<\/h3>\n

SWNs and WOANs are likely to lead to worse outcomes for consumers than network competition.<\/p>\n

Although some supporters claim they provide greater network coverage than network competition, this is often because there are public subsidies and other forms of favourable support for SWNs that are not available to competing mobile operators, making it an unfair comparison. Commercial networks can deliver coverage even in areas where duplicate networks are not economical. This can be achieved in many ways, including through voluntary network sharing among mobile operators.<\/p>\n

The benefits of network competition go beyond coverage. Innovation is a key driver of consumer value at the national level and this occurs in networks, services and devices. While mobile technologies are typically developed at the international level, the speed at which they become available to consumers depends on national policies and market structures.<\/p>\n

In practice, government-mandated wholesale networks have been much slower to expand coverage, perform upgrades and embrace new technologies.<\/p>\n

Rather than use public funds to create a separate network to deliver coverage in areas commercial networks have not found it viable to cover, an alternative approach is to consider how public funds might be used to subsidise a commercial network provider to expand coverage to these areas.<\/p>\n

Resources<\/h3>\n

Policy Trends in the Aftermath of Single Wholesale Networks, GSMA, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

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