What is an MVNO?

MVNO Stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. They are companies that offer mobile services, but do not own or operate their own mobile network, instead they use a network from a Mobile Network Operator.

In the UK, there are actually only four Mobile Network Operators, or MNOs. They are EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. These four companies all own, run and maintain their own separate physical networks. These networks have spare capacity which the MNOs then lease out to the MVNOs.

So for example, Sky Mobile doesn’t have its own network. They are an MVNO operating on O2’s network.

When you sign up with a MVNO you will get the exact same coverage as the parent network they use, so it is always a good to know which MVNOs use which network. Here’s a list of the main ones in the UK.

Network	MVNO
EE	BT Mobile, Plusnet Mobile, Utility Warehouse
O2	Sky Mobile, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile
Three	iD Mobile, Smarty, Superdrug Mobile
Vodafone	Asda, Voxi, Virgin Mobile, Lebara Mobile

MVMOs don’t have the huge expense of running and maintaining their own network. These savings mean they usually offer cheaper plans, often undercutting the parent network.

Sign up with an MVNO, and you’ll get exactly the same coverage as you would from the parent network. So if you know coverage from EE is great in your area, you can be confident any MVNO operating on the EE network will have the same great coverage.

The disadvantages to an MVNO tends to be in the perks, rewards and freebies offered, as well as some of the functionality.

MVNOs don’t qualify for any of the perks, deals or freebies that the parent network offers. So for example, Sky uses the O2 network, but Sky customers don’t get access to O2 Priority. Perks offered by the big four MNOs are reserved for customers contracted directly to them.

However, lots of MVNOs do offer their own perks so it’s important to consider these before coming to any decisions. Sky Mobile will roll over your unused data each month for 3 years, Voxi offers endless social media data on its plans as standard and Tesco Mobile gives you Clubcard points for every £1 you spend.

WiFi Calling

Not all MVNOs support WiFi calling. WiFi calling lets you make calls anywhere you have WiFi, helping improve call quality in areas that struggle with mobile signal.

Whilst all the big four networks offer WiFi calling, only a few MVNOs offer the same.

MVNO stands for mobile virtual network operator. It describes a mobile provider that doesn’t own the network it operates on.

Piggybacking is a term used to describe how MVNOs use another network to provide coverage to their customers. As MVNOs don’t have their own network, they ‘piggyback’ onto one of the UK’s 4 Mobile Network Operators by renting some of that networks capacity.