MVNO – Mobile Virtual Network Operators

Ofcom issues licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 to the Mobile Network Operators that operate the physical networks and use radio spectru m. An MVNO provides services using the infrastructure of one of the MNOs. All communications networks and service providers need to comply with a general authorisation regime for the provision of communications services.

Details of the regulations that apply in this area are in the Telecoms area of our website under the Mobile policy category: Setting up an MVNO. Further background on the MVNO market is given in section 4 of our report The Communications Market 2009 and in the discussion document: Strategic Review of Digital Communications (2015 - see Sections 1, 4 & 8).

March 2016