A quick look at Mobile Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA) & Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) and their roles & responsibilities.

1. MNO, MVNO, MVNA, MVNE
Different types of mobile operators
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2. Mobile Network Operators (MNO)
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• Examples of MNOs

3. Mobile Network Operator (MNO)
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MNO
HLR OSS/BSS
Subscribers

4. Responsibilities of MNO
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MNO
HLR OSS/BSS
Subscribers
The MNO is responsible for the setting up the mobile
network. This includes:
• Purchasing the spectrum from the regulators
• Purchasing the network from the network equipment
vendors
• Deploying the network equipment and performing
testing
• Issuing SIM cards, handsets and handset management
• Providing voice & data services and roaming facility
• Providing billing and charging
• Providing customer support
• Providing Marketing, Sales and Distribution

5. Simplified Network Architecture
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AS
CS NAS
Voice (PSTN)
Network
Data (IP)
Network
Device / UE
Radio
Access
Network
Core
Network
Air
Interface NAS = Non Access Stratum
AS = Access Stratum
UE = User Equipment
PS NAS
Backhaul
AS

6. Mobile Economy Drivers – Flow of money
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Network
Equipment
Vendors
Test &
Measurement
Vendors
Mobile /
Smartphone
Vendors
$
Apps Subscription
Services
App Creators
$
Deployment &
Field Services
$
$
Government
$
Spectrum fees
Mobile Network Operator
(MNO) / Service Provider (SP)

7. Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)
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Summary of MVNO pricing structures [Source: Analysys Mason, 2015] via MDS

8. MVNO History
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Source: Yozzo

9. Advert of Old Virgin Mobile, UK MVNO
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10. ©3G4G

11. Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)
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MNO
HLR OSS/BSS
Subscribers
MVNOMVNO
OSS/
BSS
Subscribers

12. Responsibilities of MNO
MNO Radio Access Network
Routing
Inter-
connection
Apps &
Services
Customer
Care
Billing &
Collection
Handset
Management
Marketing &
Sales
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13. Different Types of MVNOs
MNO Radio
Access
Network
Routing
Inter-
connection
Apps &
Services
Customer
Care
Billing &
Collection
Handset
Management
Marketing &
Sales
Branded
Reseller X X X X X X X ✓
Skinny
MVNO X X X X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Light / Thin
MVNO X X X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Full / Thick
MVNO X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
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14. Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA)
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MNO
HLR OSS/BSS
Subscribers
MVNOMVNO
OSS/
BSS
Subscribers
MVNA
OSS/
BSS
MVNO MVNO
OSS/
BSS
Subscribers

15. Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE)
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MNO
HLR OSS/BSS
Subscribers
MVNOMVNO
OSS/
BSS
Subscribers
MVNE
MVNO
OSS/
BSS
MVNA
OSS/
BSS
MVNO MVNO
OSS/
BSS
Subscribers

16. Responsibilities of MNO
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MNO
Access
Network
Core
Network
Application
Platforms
Operator
Billing & CRM
Subscriber
Management
Branding
Distribution
Sales
Reseller
Skinny MVNO
Thick MVNO
MVNE / MVNAMobile Network Operator
Thin MVNO

17. Key Business Processes - MVNE
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CrestelMVNEPlatform(MVNEView)
CRM
SIM &
Number
Mgmt
Voucher
Mgmt
MVNO
Billing
Partner
Mgmt
Roaming
MVNO On-boarding
• Define new MVNO
• Bind Contract/Agreement
• Create MVNO Staff with
appropriate access rights
• Branding of self care portal &
Invoice templates
Partner Invoicing
• Bill and generate invoice for
each MVNO
• Interconnect Billing
• Accounting Feed to GL systems
Inventory Management
• Load SIM details for each MVNO
• Pre-provision the SIM details
along with speed information
Product Offerings
• Create base offers/packages for
MVNOs
• Export/Import from MVNO1 to
MVNO2
• Manage product life-cycle
Partner Settlement
• Settlement with MVNOs,
Roaming & Interconnect
partners
• CDR Reconciliation
• Generate Credit/Debit
Statements
Voucher Management
• Generate Vouchers for each
MVNO
• Manage the voucher life-cycle
for each MVNO
Trouble Ticketing
• Capture Tickets from MVNOs
• Manage Ticket life-cycle
• Manage escalations
Reports/ Analytics
• CDR Reconciliation report
• Revenue reports
• Partner Settlement reports
• Revenue Assurance reports
Roaming
• TAP/RAP management with
Clearing House
• Manage inbound and outbound
roaming scenarios

18. Key Business Processes – MVNO
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Retail
Billing
Online
Charging
PCRF
CRM
Order
Mgmt
Reports
Portal
Product Offerings
• Import Base offers/packages
defined by MVNEs
• Override the Base packages
• Create new packages/offers
• Manage product life-cycle
• Add-on plans
• Special promotion
Voucher Management
• Supports PIN-based, e-vouchers,
physical vouchers, recharge
vouchers
• Manage voucher lifecycle
• Supports binding of these
vouchers with monetary
denomination
CRM
• Manage & tract campaigns
• Manage & track leads
• Lead – Opportunity – Sales
Mgmt
Customer Order Mgmt
• Subscriber life-cycle mgmt
• Manage Customer Order
• Provide, Modify & Cease
scenarios
• Change MSISDN/SIM
• Pre-paid to Post-paid & vice versa
• MNP processes
Billing
• Convergent Service Billing
• Bill Cycle Management
• Proration Capabilities
• Tax application and exemption
• Multi Company Support
• Hot Billing
• Online/Offline payments
• Credit Scoring
Loyalty & Retention
• Define & Manage Loyalty offers
• Accrue and redeem Loyalty points
Charging & Policy
• Supports Multiple Reservations
• Shared Wallet /Balance
• Separate Balance support at service
level, monetary and non-monetary
• Balance Expiry Alerts
• Policy configuration & enforcements
(FUP)
Collection & Dunning
• Credit Class Management
• Credit Limit Management
• Credit Scenarios
• Support for dunning exclusion
• Reverse action capability
Reports & Analytics
• Revenue reports
• Plan performance reports
• Usage reports
• Debt Ageing reports
• Voucher reports
• Fraud reports
CrestelMVNEPlatform(MVNOView)

19. References & Further Reading
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• 3G4G Blog: MNO, MVNO, MVNA, MVNE - The different types of
operators
• Yozzo: The History of MVNO
• MDS: What is an MVNO? The definitive guide to Mobile Virtual Network
Operators
• Detecon: Mobile Virtual Network Operators in South Africa
• Maverick Telecom: MVNO operational models
• Techplayon: Insights of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) with
Allan Rasmussen

20. Thank You
To learn more, visit:
3G4G Website – http://www.3g4g.co.uk/
3G4G Blog – http://blog.3g4g.co.uk/
3G4G Small Cells Blog – http://smallcells.3g4g.co.uk/
Operator Watch - http://operatorwatch.3g4g.co.uk/
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