MVNO news

On one side, market research firms, such as IDC, said that in Europe, MVNO subscribers should reach 47m in 2009, from 13m in 2005, accounting for just below 9% of the mobile market. This success should attract new operators, and among the new comers are Auchan (supermarkets) with A-Mobil in France, Red Pocket Mobile in the US and targeting Chinese-speaking people. Even IBM has been attracted and start offering solutions for new MVNOs with its "Solutions xVNO" offer. IBM is the lattest MVNE (MVN Enabler).

On the other side, doubt has raised on the MVNO model in the past weeks. First, several companies failed attracting profitable business. After 8 months of operation, Mobile ESPN has decided to get out of the MVNO business. Secondly, it is more and more apparent that a new comer has to invest a lot to make its brand awareness real in the business, be it a large or small company. ESPN is a school case, the name is not necessarily enough to win in that market.