The MVNO model provides an opportunity for innovative players to enter mobile markets without the cost of deploying a full mobile network or paying for spectrum licenses. MNOs benefit by capitalising on their assets and maximising their returns from sunk costs, while MVNOs can reach new customers and target under-served niches.

Traditionally, MVNOs have only been able to access customers across networks that have already been deployed. While MVNOs can bring disruptive pricing, increase competition and boost the number of connected subscribers within network zones, they can’t bring these benefits to those that are beyond the reach of the deployed network infrastructure. And that’s a problem in those countries where coverage cannot easily be achieved.

Indeed, in many parts of the world, large numbers of the population remain beyond the reach of mobile networks and far, far beyond the reach of fixed infrastructure. The digital divide remains wide and, while more and more people are benefiting from mobile connectivity, this is happening within areas that have already secured infrastructure developments. The footprint to support the extension of coverage to more users simply isn’t growing as fast as it should.