How to become a full MVNO

The first thing you need in order to start your full MVNO business is making sure you implement a cost-efficient Core Network infrastructure.

A profitable Core Network is the thing that defines you as successful Mobile Virtual Network Operator. You also need certain elements in order to deploy an MVNO business such as roaming agreements, billing and SIMs.

Keep reading to learn how to become an MVNO step-by-step:

MVNO network diagram

First of all, an MVNO is a Virtual Operator. This means that an MVNO gives services to its subscribers without having a radio access network equipment. So the first thing you need in order to start an MVNO is to have a roaming agreement with an MNO for the radio network.

The user traffic goes through the radio network of the MNO and then straight to the full MVNO Core network. That’s why it is so important for this business to have a cost-efficient Core Network.
Once you have a roaming agreement for radio in place we can start talking about your own network infrastructure.

2. Core Network equipment

The Core Network equipment is the most important part of an Virtual Operator’s business because it can drive business development and profits. Depending on the type of business you’re aiming for, you can either be a full or a light MVNO.

  • Skinny MVNO
    They do not own any network equipment, but own and operate customer care, marketing, and sales efforts.
  • Light MVNO
    Operates its own customer support, marketing, sales and distribution operations, and can set the services price independently from the retail prices set by the MNO.
  • Thick MVNO
    The MVNO manages a more complete technical implementation with its own infrastructure. Needs its own GMSC for voice, GGSN for data, HSS/HLR for all the subscriber services, and a billing system.
  • Full MVNO
    Full MVNOs only lack their own radio networks. They own the entire Core Network infrastructure.
LTE MVNO diagram
GPRS MVNO network
GSM MVNO network
MVNO architecture here

Yate-based cost-efficient Core Network equipment for MVNOs

The Core Network equipment is the most important part of an MVNO business because it can drive business development and profits. Depending on the type of business you’re aiming for, you can either be a full MVNO or a light MVNO.

We offer affordable solutions for MVNOs – $28.050 for each solution. The prices are public on the website for all our products and you can benefit from free technical support for the first 6 months.

  • YateUCN
    YateUCN

    ✔ A unified GSM and LTE Core Network that implements in software the functions of GMSC, GGSN and PGW
    ✔ YateUCN uses the HLR to localize the MSC/VLR of the called subscriber and routes the call to the designated MSC/VLR in the MNO network.
    ✔ It establishes and maintains the IP sessions of the subscriber and routes the IP packets to the SGSN in the MNO network.
  • YateHSS
    YateHSS/HLR

    ✔ A software implemented product that provides the functionalities of LTE HSS and GSM HLR.
    ✔ You can use this product for both Circuit-switching and Packet-switching, so your subscribers can roam from a 4G network to a 2G/3G network and back.
  • YateSMSC
    YateSMSC

    ✔ A SMSC with the functions of receiving, forwarding, storing and delivering SMSs in GSM, UMTS, LTE or custom networks.
    ✔ Uses standard SS7/MAP and SMPP interfaces.
    ✔ USSD services are included in YateSMSC.
YateBTS core network MVNO solutions

MiniCore - Core network for tests and research

The MiniCore is a small factor PC computer that can be used as a test LTE/GSM Core Network.

It includes all the Core Network components mentioned before: YateHSS/HLR, YateUCN, YateSMSC.

  • You get access to a small-scale LTE and GSM Core Network for tests
  • You can configure it using the same interface we use for the production equipment and see test configuration settings
  • Multi-IMSI and multi-MSISDN features
  • Can use both SIGTRAN/SS7 and Diameter for signaling so you can run multiple types of tests
  • Has multiple communication protocols and interfaces for fully documented research
  • Free technical support for the first 6 months after purchase
MiniCore diagram

Buy $10,915

DATASHEET

3. Billing system

The billing system makes each MVNO’s business model different. An MVNO can be profitable if their point of difference in the market is the price offered for their services. Find some examples below:

  • Offering low prices to subscribers for roaming all over the world;
  • Charging a monthly fee and providing international minutes for voice services and data;
  • Offering specific services such as Customer Care Services in a certain language, for the niche market of the migrant population;
  • Providing only data services using the same tariffs all over a continent;
  • Offering specialized mobile apps for niche markets, such as kids niche market, seniors niche market, health and safety niche market, sports niche market, etc.
  • Presence on the IoT market: fleet management, POS terminals.
MVNO business model

The billing partners we work with are Aradial and PortaOne. Our previous MVNO implementations worked smoothly with their billing systems.

4. SIMs

A mobile operator has to provide SIM cards to its subscribers for authentication and registration to the network. Each SIM card has an IMSI code with the following structure: MCC, MNC, and MSISDN

mvno imsi

MCC = Mobile Country Code
MNC = Mobile Network Code
MSIN = Mobile Subscription Identification Number

How to get SIM cards

The MVNO needs an agreement to purchase a range of IMSI codes from the MNO or an agreement in which the MVNO has its own IMSI range from the National MNC Authorities. In this case the agreement with the MNO is mainly for the radio access network infrastructure and other commercial reasons.

A profitable Core Network is the thing that defines you as successful Mobile Virtual Network Operator. You also need certain elements in order to deploy an MVNO business such as roaming agreements, billing and SIMs.

If you need any advice about your project feel free to contact us at sales@ss7ware.com