US Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) News
- June 2024: TDS Telecommunications, a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems Inc., is set to roll out its nationwide mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service, TDS Mobile, in collaboration with the National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC). Initially, TDS Mobile will cater to TDS Telecom’s internet customers across various service areas. Eligible customers will soon be informed about the coverage, which a national 5G mobile network will support. TDS Telecommunications serves 1.2 million connections, providing high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to diverse communities, ranging from small to mid-sized urban and suburban areas to rural locales.
- April 2024: Comcast unveiled a no-contract brand, introducing a budget-friendly, lower-speed broadband service. This move comes in response to the rising popularity of 5G-based fixed-wireless access (FWA) services, recently rolled out by select mobile network operators (MNOs). Dubbed "Now," this new offering aligns with Comcast's existing no-contract services, which cater to affordable internet, mobile, and streaming TV needs. The package boasts a fixed broadband service leveraging Comcast's established cable internet infrastructure, fresh cellular rate plans through its MVNO agreement with Verizon, and a streaming video component.
Related Telecom Industry News
- November 2024: Viasat, Inc., a global communications leader, unveiled its advanced home and mobile broadband service in Mexico. Partnering with Altán, a prominent telecommunications wholesaler in Mexico, Viasat is set to merge its satellite and wireless LTE technologies with Altán's expansive mobile network. This collaboration aims to extend cellular coverage to consumers in regions of Mexico that previously lacked such services. Currently, Viasat's offerings span 13 states, reaching over 150,000 individuals and granting them access to vital internet connectivity.
- July 2024: Vi (Vodafone Idea) launched the Vi One service, integrating mobile, broadband, and streaming services into a single plan. While Vi provides its own mobile services, it has collaborated with Asianet to offer bundled broadband services specifically for customers in Kerala. In addition to mobile and broadband, the Vi One service grants access to subscriptions from over 13 streaming platforms. Customers opting for Vi One can select from two available plans, allowing them to utilize both their Vi SIM and Asianet broadband services without incurring separate charges.
- October 2024: Zoom Video Communications has launched its inaugural cloud phone solution, Zoom Phone, in India, receiving a license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Tailored for secure, reliable, and flexible voice communication, Zoom Phone seamlessly integrates with the Zoom Workplace platform, bolstering collaboration through AI-driven features.
- June 2024: UniVoIP, a cloud communication solutions provider, has unveiled its newest service: Teams Phone System Management. Tailored for businesses, this service aims to simplify the management of Microsoft Teams tenants, ensuring a seamless experience for its clients.
- August 2024: TPG Telecom, an Australian operator, has reignited discussions with Vocus Group about a possible sale of its fiber network. This comes after the two companies, having previously halted negotiations last year, are now once more in non-exclusive talks.
- April 2024: TPG Telecom and Optus have struck an 11-year agreement to share regional spectrum and mobile network infrastructure. This comes on the heels of a similar arrangement between Telstra and TPG, which was thwarted by regulators. With this deal, TPG Telecom can expand its customer service reach from 755 towers to an impressive 2,444, encompassing both 4G and 5G services.
- March 2024: The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in Cambodia has announced its efforts to formulate a policy. This policy aims to provide operators with access to the essential 100 MHz of spectrum needed for the operation of 5G networks. Such growing innitiatives by the gvernment is driving the market of telecom tower in Cambodia.
- June 2024: CamGSM, operating under the brand Cellcard in Cambodia, has earmarked USD 180 million for network expansion in 2024. With this the telecom company aims to enhance coverage, particularly targeting underserved communities throughout Cambodia. CamGSM has labeled this endeavor as a significant network initiative, and the plan has received the green light from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
- February 2024: Melco Audio, in its commitment to excel in storage and network audio, unveiled the C1-D20 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable. This innovative cable, bypassing typical network data transmission constraints, empowers Melco by allowing complete control over connectors, cables, and interface electronics. By treating the entire interface as a pivotal audio component, the C1-D20 achieves a level of performance unmatched by conventional connectivity solutions.
- March 2023: Amphenol Communications Solutions unveiled its latest high-speed cable solutions, tailored to align with PCIe, EDSFF, and OCP specifications, along with power shelf demands. In a strategic partnership with the PCI-SIG association, their PCIe Direct-Attached cable riser solution not only eliminates PCB trace and vias but also boasts support for speeds up to PCIe 5.0 32Gb/s. Furthermore, the EDSFF cable assemblies adhere to E1 and E3 specifications, OCP's cable assemblies are in line with OCP NIC 3.0 standards, and the power shelf variants are crafted to meet OCP Orv3 requirements.
- August 2024: PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi Tbk and AALTO HAPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore how to provide commercial HAPS solutions in Indonesia. It is combined with Mitratel’s digital infrastructure portfolio that includes more than 38,000 towers and 37,000km fibre optic, AALTO’s Zephyr offers capabilities from the stratosphere that will be influencial for mobile connectivity and earth observation.
- March 2024: Indonesian telco XL Axiata completed a five-year project with Nokia to modernize its network across Central Java. XL Axiata said that around 4,400 of its existing sites in Central Java have been modernized, while new sites have been added. XL Axiata, which has more than 58 million subscribers, said it used Nokia's Airscale Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), and Network Performance Improvement (NPI) program for the upgrades.
- December 2024: AT&T announced that Mavenir will supply the company with 5G radios. The development is a huge win for vendor Mavenir, which has struggled to leverage the open RAN trend into concrete sales. AT&T said Mavenir, based in Texas, will join Sweden's Ericsson and Japan's Fujitsu as its 5G radio vendors. Mavenir's other 5G radio customers include Paradise Mobile and Triangle Communications.
- June 2024: Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network announced that it has increased its 5G (Sub6) base station traffic capacity approximately 130% per network cell, increased the number of unique 5G users by approximately 50%, and doubled its average network speed in Tokyo, compared with its previous results for the region, by taking measures to increase the capacity of its 5G (Sub6) base stations.
- August 2024: Kenya Airways has partnered with Safaricom, a top telecommunications operator, to boost the airline's operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience. The collaboration seeks to roll out advanced technologies and innovative solutions in multiple facets of air travel and aviation services. Key areas of focus include enhanced in-flight Wi-Fi services, ensuring passengers enjoy superior connectivity throughout their journeys.
- May 2024: The Wilken Group Limited seeks qualified U.S. firms to submit their qualifications and proposals for a feasibility study. This study focuses on deploying new fiber and tower infrastructure along Kenya's Meter Gauge Railway, stretching from Mombasa to Malaba. The project's main goal is establishing a wholesale open-access fiber optic network and a series of 5G-capable towers along the railway. The chosen U.S. firm will receive a grant of USD 1,240,000, funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, to the Wilken Group.
- May 2024: OCK Group Bhd has inked a tower leasing deal with Best Telecom Co Ltd, signalling its debut in the Laotian telecommunications arena. Best Telecom, which recently secured the 5G spectrum in Laos, is set to roll out its 5G network nationwide by the end of the year. Over the next 15 years, OCK will construct and lease telecommunications towers to Best Telecom in Vientiane and other key cities, guaranteeing a consistent income stream for the group.
- January 2024: Lao Telecom, the telecommunications provider in Laos, launched Laos' inaugural 5G high-speed internet service. During an event at Vientiane's National Convention Center, Lao Telecom not only introduced this service but also showcased a suite of advanced technologies. These include virtual reality (VR), drone-based space exploration, iFarm solutions, cyber security measures, cloud computing services, and the M-MoneyX platform. Notably, all these innovations were demonstrated to operate seamlessly with the newly introduced high-speed internet service.
- August 2024: EDOTCO Malaysia, the telecommunications infrastructure firm in the country, has forged two strategic alliances with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Boost. These collaborations aim to propel Malaysia's digital economy, focusing on next-generation digital infrastructure and initiatives for financial inclusion. Through this partnership, MDEC and EDOTCO aim to equip the MD ecosystem's communities with essential infrastructure, fostering nationwide innovation and growth. This initiative accelerates the growth of Malaysia's digital innovators, benefiting all Malaysians. It also aims to bridge the urban-rural divide, reinforcing Malaysia's status in the digital age.
- March 2024: Edotco Malaysia has successfully completed and handed over 27 tower sites in Negeri Sembilan, marking the completion of Phase 1 under the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela). This milestone has been officially recognized by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). EDOTCO credited the project's success to the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, including the state government, local authorities, and relevant agencies, who worked together to navigate challenges and successfully complete the project.