A mobile network operator, also known as an MNO or cellular network carrier, is a company that provides mobile services like calls, texts, and data using a cellular network. MNOs generate revenue from subscription fees paid by customers for their mobile plans. Customers pay a fixed monthly charge giving them a certain amount of minutes, texts, and data. Additional usage is charged beyond the included allowance. MNOs also receive payments from roaming fees when customers use their network while traveling abroad.

The mobile network industry is highly competitive, with a small number of large MNOs dominating the market in each country. The industry has also seen consolidation over time, with MNOs merging to gain more customers and reduce costs. Despite market saturation in many countries, they continue to rely on strategies like lower prices and unlimited data plans to attract users. In this article, we’ll explore the major MNOs in detail.

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Mobile Network Technologies and Standards

MNOs implement various mobile network technologies and conform to wireless standards to deliver quality mobile services to customers. Some of the key technologies and standards used by MNOs are:

5G Technology

5G is the latest and fastest mobile network technology that provides dramatically higher speeds and lower latencies. MNOs are investing heavily in rolling out 5G networks to enable new user app experiences. 5G delivers gigabit-speed data, making technologies like connected vehicles, telemedicine, and more possible.

LTE (Long-Term Evolution)

LTE is the mobile networking standard that immediately preceded 5G. It has been widely deployed by MNOs to deliver high-speed mobile data since 2009. It offers up to 10 times faster than 3G networks and lays the foundation for 5G. Voice calls over LTE with VoLTE technology also give users more transparent call quality.

Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE

MNOs are integrating new capabilities like Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE (Voice over LTE) in their networks to enhance user experience. Wi-Fi calling allows users to make calls and send texts over a Wi-Fi network when cellular signals are weak. VoLTE provides HD voice and video calling over an LTE network.

Future Technologies (e.g., 6G)

Research in next-generation mobile network technologies beyond 5G has already begun. 6G is envisaged to offer data rates as high as 1 terabit per second, end-to-end latencies below 100 microseconds, and support over 1 billion connected devices per square kilometer. MNOs will upgrade their networks to 6G when it’s commercially available, likely in 2030.

Major Mobile network operator

Here is the list of major key players in mobile network operators explained and the overview of data sources taken from wikipedia. Let’s explain each in detail-

China Mobile Communications Corporation

Overview

Founded: 3 September 1997
Headquarters: Beijing, Shanghai, China
Revenue: $140.5B

China Mobile is the world’s largest mobile network operator by number of subscribers, serving over 900 million customers in China. It was established in 1997 as a state-owned enterprise and now operates the world’s largest 4G LTE mobile network. China Mobile is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange. It continues to expand its network coverage, speeds, and 5G rollout in China.

Bharti Airtel Limited

Overview

Founded: 7 July 1995
Headquarters: Nelson Mandela Road, New Delhi, India
Revenue: $17.1B

Bharti Airtel is one of India’s largest mobile network operators, with over 400 million subscribers. The company launched operations in 1995 and helped usher in the mobile revolution in India with affordable voice plans. Airtel offers 4G and 3G services across India and has one of the most extensive networks covering urban and rural areas. It operates telecom networks in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited

Overview

Founded: 15 February 2007
Headquarters: Reliance Corporate Park, Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Revenue: 907.86 B

Reliance Jio is a relatively new entrant but the fastest-growing mobile network operator in India in terms of subscribers. Launched in 2016 by Reliance Industries, Jio quickly gained popularity among customers by offering free incoming calls and some of the cheapest data plans in the world. Jio has over 400 million subscribers and India’s largest 4G network coverage and also launched its 5g services in around 406 Indian cities. It aims to deliver the next-generation 5G network services across the country soon.

China Telecom Corp. Ltd

Overview

Founded: 10 September 2002, 20 years ago
Headquarters: Beijing, Shanghai, China
Revenue: $70.3B

China Telecom is one of the largest state-owned telecom companies in China and the world’s third-largest mobile network operator by subscribers. The company was incorporated in 2002 and provides integrated information services, including mobile, fixed line, broadband, and other Internet services. China Telecom has over 335 million mobile customers and a nationwide 4G network. It is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

China Unicom Limited

Overview

Founded: 18 June 1994
Headquarters: Beijing, Shanghai, China
Revenue: $52.8B

China Unicom is China’s second-largest mno mobile network operator, with over 330 million subscribers. The state-owned enterprise commenced operations in 1994 as part of China’s telecom reforms. The company provides mobile voice and data communications services, fixed-line broadband and Internet access, and value-added services like e-commerce and cloud computing. China Unicom has deployed 4G networks in more than 300 cities across China and is planning to roll out 5G services.

America Movil

Overview

Founded: 25 September 2000
Revenue: $43.6B (2023)
Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico

America Movil is a Mexican telecommunications conglomerate and the world’s fourth-largest mobile network operator. Founded in 2000, the company provides integrated telecommunication services, including mobile, fixed line, Internet, and pay TV across Latin America and the United States. It owns mobile subsidiaries like Telcel in Mexico, Claro in Brazil, and other wireless carriers in emerging markets. América Móvil currently serves over 277 million wireless subscribers and is expanding operations through strategic acquisitions and network upgrades.

MTN Group Limited

Overview

Founded: 1994
Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Revenue: $12.6B

MTN Group is a South Africa-based telecommunications company and one of the world’s largest mobile network operators, with over 280 million subscribers across 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Launched in 1994, MTN currently operates mobile networks in countries like Nigeria, Iran, Ghana, Uganda, and more. The company has upgraded most of its networks to 3G and 4G LTE, rolled out mobile money services, and also provides fixed-line internet access. MTN is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and continues to focus on extending network coverage in key markets.

Telefonica S.A.

Overview

Founded: 19 April 1924
Headquarters: Distrito Telefonica, Madrid, Spain
Revenue: $42B

Telefonica is a Spanish multinational broadband and telecommunications provider operating in Europe and Latin America. The company offers mobile and fixed-line telephone services alongside broadband and subscription television services. With over 344 million subscribers across 17 countries in Europe and Latin America, Telefonica is one of the world’s largest mobile network operators. Its main mobile brands are Movistar in Spain, Vivo in Brazil, and O2 in the United Kingdom. Telefónica is upgrading networks to deliver 4.5G and 5G services while expanding its Internet of Things business.

Vodafone Group plc

Overview

Founded: 16 September 1991
Headquarters: Newbury, Berkshire, England, UK
Revenue: $49.7B

Vodafone is a British multinational telecommunications conglomerate headquartered in London. It has mobile operations in more than 25 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, serving over 400 million customers. Vodafone’s acquisition of Mannesmann AG in 1999 made it the world’s largest mobile network operator at the time. Vodafone offers mobile and fixed network services, hosting, and cloud-based solutions. The company is deploying Gigabit LTE, expanding 5G trials to improve connectivity and increase revenue through digital services.

Vodafone Idea Ltd

Overview

Founded: 31 August 2018
Headquarters: Gandhinagar, Mumbai, India

Vodafone Idea is an Indian telecommunications company and the largest mobile network operator in India. The company was formed in 2018 through the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular. It has a subscriber base of over 400 million, covering all 22 telecom circles in India. Vodafone Idea provides 2G, 3G, and 4G services under the Vodafone and Idea brands. The company has been trying to improve its network coverage, upgrade technologies to LTE and introduce new tariff plans to increase revenue and tackle competition from Reliance Jio. However, it still faces financial issues and a huge government-related debt.

Orange S.A.

Overview

Founded: 1 January 1988 (as France Telecom), 1 July 2013 (as Orange)
Headquarters: Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Orange is a French multinational telecommunications corporation and one of the largest mobile network operators in Europe. The company started as France Télécom in the 1990s and was later renamed Orange. It offers mobile, fixed line, broadband internet, and cloud-based telecommunications services across most of Europe and Africa. Orange has over 260 million customers worldwide, including 208 million mobile subscribers. The company operates mobile networks in countries like the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Mauritius, apart from France. Orange is currently upgrading networks to 4G/4G+ and preparing for 5G deployment to maintain its leadership.

The primary role of an MNO

MNOs own the network infrastructure required for mobile services, including cell towers, base stations, switches, and transmission equipment. Their role is to:

• Build and maintain the cellular network infrastructure.
• Acquire radio frequency spectrum from regulatory authorities.
• Develop billing systems.
• Offer mobile service plans and packages to customers.
• Provide customer support through sales outlets and call centers.
• Partner with device manufacturers.

Key Components of a Mobile Network Operator

The key components of any mobile network operator revolve around building and managing the essential network infrastructure and implementing and offering services and plans to customers. These work in tandem to deliver reliable and high-quality mobile connectivity.

Infrastructure

The physical network infrastructure is the most important component of any MNO. It consists of the following:

• Cell towers and base stations: These transmit and receive radio signals to and from mobile devices. More towers mean broader coverage.
• Transmission network: Fiber optic cables and microwave links connect the base stations to the core network to carry voice and data traffic.
• Switching network: Computers and routers make up the switching fabric that routes calls and data between devices on the network.
• Operations centers: MNOs operate network management systems from operations centers to monitor and control the network infrastructure.

Spectrum Allocation

MNOs need spectrum allocation from regulators to operate their networks. Spectrum refers to blocks of radio frequencies that cellular networks use to transmit and receive signals. MNOs pay fees to acquire licenses for the exclusive use of specific spectrum bands.

Network Architecture

MNOs design and implement network architectures to deliver mobile services efficiently. Network architecture mainly consists of the radio access network (RAN) and core network responsible for communication between devices and managing subscriber data.

Services and Offerings

In addition to providing basic voice and text services, MNOs offer various value-added services like mobile data, international roaming, mobile money, and IoT connectivity to generate revenue. They also provide service and usage plans tailored to different customer segments.

Importance of MNOs in the telecommunications industry

MNOs play a vital role in the telecom industry by providing mobile connectivity to users. They own and operate the essential network infrastructure that allows people to make calls, send texts, and access data services on their mobile devices. The role of MNOs has become increasingly important as more aspects of our daily lives and businesses have become digitized and dependent on mobile networks. Some key reasons why MNOs are important are:

• They enable ubiquitous connectivity: MNOs build and maintain cellular networks that provide pervasive mobile connectivity to people anywhere and anytime. This has become indispensable for society and businesses today.
• They power new mobile experiences: MNOs continuously invest in new technologies and network upgrades to support faster data speeds, broader coverage, and new mobile experiences like streaming, navigation, and cloud services.
• They enable the growth of the digital economy: By providing reliable and high-speed mobile connectivity, MNOs fuel the growth of the digital economy and the emergence of mobile apps, services, and commerce.
• They create jobs and economic value: MNOs directly employ thousands of workers and create jobs in industries that depend on mobile networks like software, e-commerce, and content delivery.
• They drive innovation: MNOs partner with device makers and technology providers to launch innovative services and business models that enhance the mobile experience for users.
• They ensure national communication infrastructure: Governments recognize MNOs as essential service providers and work closely with them to build sustainable mobile networks that function as vital national communication infrastructure.

In Conclusion, MNOs connect billions of people worldwide through their advanced cellular networks. MNOs have transformed the way we communicate, work, and access information through connectivity. While MNOs focused on voice calling services, delivering reliable high-speed data services, offering value-added services, supporting IoT growth, and partnering with various industries to help them mobilize and transform digitally. As 5G networks and new apps emerge, the importance of MNOs speeds up in shaping our increasingly interconnected world. Hence, MNOs will constantly need to strive for innovative and user-centric services to maintain their relevance in the digital era.

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