Technology parity is a must for MVNOs today, here’s why.
When I run MVNO masterclasses around the world, one question comes up time and time again: What is the single most important clause to include in an MVNO wholesale agreement? It is never an easy question to answer. Wholesale contracts are complex documents covering everything from commercial terms and service levels to customer support, billing arrangements, and regulatory obligations. There is rarely one clause that outweighs all others. However, if I were compiling a list of the five most important clauses then one covering network and technology parity would undoubtedly be near the top. Technology parity ensures that an MVNO can access the same network developments, upgrades, and future technologies as the host mobile network operator (MNO). In practical terms, it prevents MVNOs from becoming second-class providers operating on outdated technology while their host networks move ahead. More importantly, parity provides a foundation for fair competition. It allows MVNOs to build propositions, customer experiences, and brands based on consistent service quality rather than constantly trying to explain why their offering lacks capabilities available elsewhere in the market. As the industry enters a new phase of innovation, that protection has never been more important. The growing momentum behind direct to device satellite communications...