The global mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market is expected to see sustained growth, with the number of subscribers using MVNO services projected to increase from 333 million in 2026 to 438 million by 2030, according to a new study from Juniper Research.
The addition of more than 100 million subscribers over the forecast period will be driven primarily by the adoption of MVNO in a Box platforms, which are enabling enterprises to launch mobile connectivity services faster and with lower operational complexity.
Juniper Research defines an MVNO as a mobile service provider that leases wholesale network capacity from mobile network operators without owning its own network infrastructure. This model continues to gain traction as enterprises seek to integrate mobile connectivity into broader digital services, customer engagement platforms, and ecosystem-based offerings.
MVNO in a Box Platforms Accelerate Enterprise Market Entry
MVNO in a Box platforms are emerging as a strategic enabler for enterprises looking to enter the mobile services market. These platforms provide pre-integrated operational capabilities, including billing, subscriber management, analytics, and regulatory compliance, allowing enterprises to focus on service differentiation rather than network deployment.
MVNO in a Box solutions are encouraging non-traditional telecom players such as retailers, digital service providers, and financial institutions to launch mobile offerings aligned with their existing customer bases. This evolution is transforming MVNOs from price-led alternatives into value-driven extensions of enterprise digital ecosystems, the report said.
Platform Providers / Vendors Enabling MVNO-in-a-Box
The following companies offer turnkey MVNO-in-a-Box solutions that operators, enterprises, and brands use to roll out MVNO services quickly:
DigitalRoute, Intraway Symphonica, Totogi (on AWS) – Joint cloud-native MVNO-in-a-Box platform hosted on Amazon Web Services, bringing together service orchestration, charging-as-a-service, mediation, and analytics.
Transatel – Provides an MVNO-in-a-Box solution used to launch new MVNO brands, with core services and support for voice, data, and roaming across Europe.
Alepo – Offers a digital MVNO-in-a-Box suite combining BSS, core network, digital self-care, and analytics for rapid deployment.
CompaxDigital – Turnkey platform integrating core network elements, BSS/OSS, and support tools to enable rapid MVNO launches.
IPLOOK – End-to-end MVNO solution with all-in-a-box features supporting multi-technology access (3G/4G/5G) and scalable deployments.
Optiva (MVNO Hubs / MVNO as a Service) – Cloud-native BSS with ready-to-use templates for fast MVNO provisioning; case studies include TELUS, Telcel, and Claro operations.
Enghouse Networks / Enghouse MVNE Solutions – Support MVNO in a Box or billing-as-a-service models for MNO wholesale teams to onboard multiple MVNO tenants.
Mobilise (HERO MVNE Platform) – Multi-tenant MVNE/MVNO-in-a-Box platform used by operators (e.g., FreedomPop in the UK) to launch and manage digital MVNO services.
Differentiation and Loyalty Become Central to MVNO Strategy
While entry barriers are declining, Juniper Research warns that emerging MVNOs must differentiate themselves from incumbent mobile service providers to capture market share. Enterprises are expected to leverage their brand equity, customer relationships, and digital engagement capabilities to deliver distinctive mobile value propositions.
Rewards programs and customer loyalty schemes are critical tools for differentiation. By embedding mobile subscriptions into existing loyalty frameworks, enterprises can improve customer retention, enhance engagement, and increase lifetime customer value.
Personalised Mobile Services Drive Subscriber Growth
Personalization is highlighted as a key success factor for new MVNOs. Enterprises must use internal customer data to develop tailored mobile subscription offerings, including customized data allowances and pricing structures aligned with specific customer segments.
This level of personalization allows new MVNOs to rapidly establish niche positions within national and regional markets, creating competitive advantages over traditional operators with more standardized offerings.
Alex Webb, Senior Research Analyst at Juniper Research, said enterprises must invest in comprehensive analytics platforms that leverage data across their business to identify strategies capable of converting existing customers into MVNO subscribers.
Capex and Revenue Impact – Shifting Economics Across the Ecosystem
The growth of MVNO in a Box platforms is reshaping capital expenditure and revenue models across the telecom ecosystem. For enterprises, these platforms significantly reduce upfront capex by eliminating the need for network infrastructure investments. Instead, enterprises adopt asset-light operating models focused on software platforms, analytics, and customer engagement.
For mobile network operators, MVNO in a Box deployments enable more efficient monetization of existing network assets. Operators can generate incremental wholesale revenue by leasing excess capacity to enterprise MVNOs without materially increasing network capex, improving overall return on invested capital.
Mobile virtual network enablers also stand to benefit from recurring platform-based revenues as enterprises scale MVNO services across multiple markets. MVNE investments are increasingly directed toward cloud-native platforms, automation, and analytics capabilities rather than physical infrastructure.
Industry Outlook – Implications for Telecom Operators and MVNEs
For telecom operators, the projected growth to 438 million MVNO subscribers globally by 2030 highlights a strategic opportunity to expand wholesale and platform-driven revenue streams. Operators that invest in flexible wholesale models, network APIs, and integration with MVNO in a Box platforms are better positioned to attract enterprise partners and diversify revenue beyond traditional retail services.
For MVNEs, the forecast underscores rising demand for scalable, cloud-based enablement platforms capable of supporting rapid MVNO launches and advanced personalization. As enterprises increasingly view mobile connectivity as part of broader digital strategies, MVNEs are expected to evolve into long-term strategic partners rather than purely technical intermediaries.
FASNA SHABEER
