Market Overview

New trend in telecom

What do MTV, Disney, Easyjet, Virgin, Tesco and Puff Daddy have in common? At first sight, not much. But take a closer look at the list of Mobile Virtual Network Operators. This list shows their names, meaning that they have all started a mobile business. These new entrants have changed the telecom landscape by pushing the operators in the role of network providers. MVNO’s have appeal because they target a specific market segment with needs which they know best to answer.

Operators that are currently cooperating with MVNO’s are those who struggled to fill its network with their own subscribers. They are eager to cooperate since they only have to lease network capacity and can profit from the success of the new entrant without costly investments.

The Dutch Market

The MVNO market in the Netherlands currently counts 39 Virtual Operators. This number is rapidly increasing. The majority of the new entrants are focussing on the low-cost segment. A division can be made between different segments:

-> Cheap international calling rates: Lebara, Ortel, Chippie, IDT, Ay Yildiz, Lycatel

-> Low roaming costs: TrendCall, Amatus, Transatel, IPI Mobile

-> Sim-only prepaid: Simyo, Z11, LowCall

-> Retail: AH Mobiel, Hema, Dexcom

-> Convergence: UPC, Tele2, Multikabel

-> Charity: Tommy Mobiel, Call4Care, Carey Mobiel

-> B2B: Debitel, Intercity, Galaxy, Euphony, Stream

-> Loyalty: Countdown Mobile

-> Banking: Rabobank

For more analyses and insights, please call the DutchMVNO team on +31 10 280 7026