What is a MNO (Mobile Network Operator)?
A mobile network operator (MNO) is a telecoms entity that provides wireless voice and data services to mobile phone subscribers.
Also known as a wireless service provider, wireless carrier, cellular company, or mobile network carrier, MNOs are providers of wireless communication services that own or control all the elements necessary to deliver services to end-users. This includes radio spectrum allocation, wireless network infrastructure and other necessary components.
How do MNOs deliver services?
MNOs build a network of telecoms infrastructure including base stations and transmitter masts, and the supporting software, to create a communication network that it can then sell access to for delivering telecommunications between end-user devices in the form of voice, data and video.
Each subscriber mobile device is allocated a unique code by the MNO called an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) so that they can access the network services that they are allowed to as part of their phone contract. If they are not local subscribers, then a roaming agreement must be in place between the MNO that they are connecting to and the one that they subscribe to.
Infobip has direct connections with over 400 MNOs globally which ensure that our customers’ global telecom traffic is routed via the quickest and most cost-effective path.
