Editing Mobile network operator (section)

== Overview ==
A key defining characteristic of a mobile network operator is that it must own or control access to a [[frequency allocation|radio spectrum license]] from a regulatory or government entity, and also that it must own or control the elements of the [[cellular network]] infrastructure necessary to provide services to subscribers over the licensed [[radio spectrum]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ivo Vegter |date=4 July 2018 |title=Why a wireless open-access network won't work |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2018-07-04-why-a-wireless-open-access-network-wont-work/#.Wz_ildhKjBI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410053343/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2018-07-04-why-a-wireless-open-access-network-wont-work/#.Wz_ildhKjBI |archive-date=2022-04-10 |publisher=Daily Maverick}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=lizs |date=2024-03-04 |title=MNO or MVNO: Which is the Right Choice for Your IoT Project? |url=https://www.eseye.com/resources/iot-explained/mno-or-mvno-for-iot/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Eseye |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition the operator would also contain other elements like the [[Backhaul (telecommunications)|back haul]] infrastructure and  [[provisioning (telecommunications)|provisioning]] computer systems.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last1=Mazalov |first1=Vladimir |last2=Lukyanenko |first2=Andrey |last3=Gurtov |first3=Andrei |date=30 October 2019 |title=Location–Price Competition in Mobile Operator Market |url=https://liu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1416464/FULLTEXT01 |journal=International Game Theory Review |volume=21 |issue=3 |page=2 |doi=10.1142/S0219198918500159 |s2cid=158860971 |access-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=MVNO {{!}} Glossary |url=https://www.gms-worldwide.com/glossary/mvno/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521033208/https://www.gms-worldwide.com/glossary/mvno/ |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |access-date=4 August 2020 |website=GMS Worldwide}}</ref>

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]]s (MVNO).<ref name=":0" />