A mobile network operator (MNO), also known as a mobile network provider, mobile network carrier, mobile , wireless service provider, wireless carrier, wireless operator, wireless telco, or cellular company, is a
telecommunications
Telecommunication, often used in its plural form or abbreviated as telecom, is the transmission of information over a distance using electronic means, typically through cables, radio waves, or other communication technologies. These means of ...
provider of services that sells, delivers and maintains
mobile telephony
Mobile telephony is the provision of wireless telephone services to mobile phones, distinguishing it from fixed-location telephony provided via landline phones. Traditionally, telephony specifically refers to voice communication, though th ...
services to an end user.
Overview
A key defining characteristic of a mobile network operator is that it must own or control access to a
radio spectrum license from a regulatory or government entity, and also that it must own or control the elements of the
cellular network
A cellular network or mobile network is a telecommunications network where the link to and from end nodes is wireless network, wireless and the network is distributed over land areas called ''cells'', each served by at least one fixed-locatio ...
infrastructure necessary to provide services to subscribers over the licensed
radio spectrum
The radio spectrum is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with frequencies from 3 Hz to 3,000 GHz (3 THz). Electromagnetic waves in this frequency range, called radio waves, are widely used in modern technology, particula ...
.
In addition the operator would also contain other elements like the
back haul infrastructure and
provisioning
Provisioning may refer to:
* Provisioning (technology), the equipping of a telecommunications network or IT resources
* Provisioning (cruise ship), supplying a vessel for an extended voyage
** Provisioning of USS ''Constitution''
* Provisionin ...
computer systems.
A mobile network operator typically also has the necessary provisioning, billing, and customer care computer systems, and the marketing, customer care, and engineering organizations needed to sell, deliver, and bill for services. However, a mobile network operator can outsource any of these systems or functions and still be considered a mobile network operator.
In addition to obtaining revenue by offering retail services under its own brand, a mobile network operator may also sell access to network services at wholesale rates to
mobile virtual network operator
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a wireless communications services provider that does not own the wireless network infrastructure over which it provides services to its customers. An MVNO enters into a business agreement with a mobil ...
s (MVNO).
List of operators
See also
*
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides a myriad of services related to accessing, using, managing, or participating in the Internet. ISPs can be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, no ...
*
List of telephone operating companies
This list identifies the largest telecommunications companies by total revenue. For a more thorough list, see the By region section.
By total revenue
''Note: Numbers of total revenues of most telephone operating companies are sourced from Fo ...
*
Mobile phone operator
*
Mobile virtual network operator
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a wireless communications services provider that does not own the wireless network infrastructure over which it provides services to its customers. An MVNO enters into a business agreement with a mobil ...
*
Telephone company
A telecommunications company is a kind of electronic communications service provider, more precisely a telecommunications service provider (TSP), that provides telecommunications services such as telephony and data communications access. Many t ...
*
Open-access network
Notes
References
{{Telecommunications, IMEI=865962037209090
Mobile technology
Mobile phone industry