Allan T. Rasmussen (อัลลัน ราสมุสเซน)’s Post

Vietnam to shutdown 2G starting from Sept 16, 2024 - except for M2M The roadmap for shutting down #2G has just been announced by the Ministry of Information and Communications on July 5, 2024. Specifically, from September 16, 2024, no services will be provided to subscriber terminals that only support 2G GSM, except for the case of providing services to subscriber terminals connected to the GSM network for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data between devices (#M2M) or providing services in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos and DK platforms. At the end of 2023, Vietnam had a total of 124.1 million mobile connections divided between: 30 million on 2G (24.17% of all mobile users) 3.8 million on 3G 87.8 million on 4G 6 million on 5G Vietnam’s Telecom Market Key Statistics End of Year 2023 : https://lnkd.in/gvTqDMiR To implement the cessation of 2G technology and promote the conversion to smartphones, the roadmap outlines four specific solutions. 1. Operators should support subscribers to switch to 3G, 4G, 5G phones: implement a program to support funding for purchasing 4G smartphones or 4G feature phones and issue packages to support subscribers to switch, effective until September 16, 2024. 2. Operators must prevent the entry of 2G phones that are not certified to comply with regulations. 3. Setup mobile base stations to ensure 4G network coverage to replace 2G network when the 2G system is discontinued and completed before September 2026. 4. The Ministry of Information and Communications, the Department of Information and Communications, and mobile telecommunications enterprises must conduct communication to each user group on appropriate media to grasp the policy and proactively switch to using 4G technology phones or 5G. https://lnkd.in/gV8YAeqS

Bank MVNO Capitec hits 1 million+ active mobile users The South African retail bank Capitec says its mobile virtual network operator (#MVNO) service, Capitec Connect, has over 1 million active users. The #bank group previously reported having 1.3 million #CapitecConnect SIMs in distribution, but never revealed the active user base. Capitec launched its mobile service running on Cell C’s mobile virtual network enabler (#MVNE) platform—with network infrastructure operated by MTN—back in September 2022. Speaking at the group’s results presentation in April, Capitec CEO, Gerrie Fourie said that the mobile network plan is a big part of the bank’s #strategy, particularly in helping it understand clients and their needs. He said he was excited about Capitec Connect and that “quite a lot” of new products for the service would be coming in the year ahead. https://lnkd.in/gitHpBra

Nokia and the agriculture MVNO Solis partner to support Agriculture 4.0 in Brazil Nokia has entered into a partnership with the Brazilian Mobile Virtual Network Operator (#MVNO) Solis Tower Telecom do Brasil, to offer a digital agriculture solution, bringing much-needed connectivity to agribusinesses in rural parts of Brazil. The partnership will see the expansion of #privatenetworks that will help to deliver gains in productivity, efficiency, and sustainability and ultimately an increase in food production. SOLIS is a private LTE 4G NB-IoT provider and an MVNO operator dedicated to Brazilian agribusinesses. They have the capacity to build infrastructure and meet the demands of a country as large as Brazil with the quality and reliability that new agricultural operations require. Its mission is to drive Agriculture 4.0 from a vertical supply chain in OPEX business models that includes "Infrastructure, Licensing and Connectivity with 24x7 Operation". Nokia has provided a range of equipment from its AirScale portfolio including small cells, baseband, Macro Remote Radio Heads and base stations. Nokia's solutions also support Internet of Things (IoT) technologies such as NB-IoT and LTE-M, enabling a host of machines, people and sensors to be connected seamlessly for providing detailed real-time information that supports agribusinesses. The partnership seeks to drive digital inclusion and bring reliable connectivity to many farming communities in rural or plantation areas. Many rural parts of Brazil are still unconnected and only 19% of the land available for #agricultural use in Brazil has 4G or 5G coverage. Henrique Carneiro Gonçalves, Director of Vera Cruz do Xingu farm, said: "The introduction of a private LTE network has transformed our operations. Now we can communicate easily with everyone on the farm solving issues and driving greater synergies and productivity. IoT monitors give us instant access to information on things such as humidity, harvesting or fuel consumption helping us to be more efficient, save money and get better outcomes." Felippe Antonelle, Solis Co-Founder, said: "This important project will have a transformative impact on farming communities across Brazil giving them access to critical communications and internet access. It will drive greater efficiencies and increases in productivity. We are delighted to partner with Nokia on this and look forward to seeing how it will develop in the future." Renato Bueno, Enterprise Sales Director for Nokia Mobile Networks LATAM, said: "Bringing reliable connectivity and accelerating the digitalization of these rural communities is essential. Through our industry-leading technology, we help our customer Solis bridge the digital divide and connect the unconnected." https://lnkd.in/gt6ZbiuK

US MVNO Members Mobile and the MVNE i-new | Compax announce a strategic partnership to launch mobile service to Credit Union members In a move to accelerate and enhance mobile phone services for credit union members, Members Mobile Inc. - a US-based Mobile Virtual Network Operator (#MVNO) targeting Credit Union (CU) members - today announced a key strategic partnership with the Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (#MVNE) i-new | Compax MVNx Solutions. The agreement combines i-new's strategic investment in Members Mobile to accelerate service launch with a five-year MVNE service provision agreement. This collaboration will help Members Mobile redefine the affordability and user experience in mobile telecommunications for credit union members. "This collaboration with i-new is a testament to our commitment to continuously seek innovative solutions that meet our purpose to help credit unions help more members achieve financial wellness," said Gary Brandt, co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Members Mobile. "This is another important milestone for i-new and its shareholder CompaxDigital. We are honored to be selected as a long-term, technical partner by Members Mobile, which represents a huge opportunity for credit unions across the U.S.," said Frank von Seth, Chief Executive, i-new. https://lnkd.in/gR9qWzWt

Cell C and MTN’s MVNO plans for South Africa South Africa has seen a significant upswing in MVNOs in recent years. The space now has 13 major players, with five of them entering the market in the past three years. Cell C told MyBroadband, that it is still seeing significant interest from mobile virtual network operator (#MVNO) clients wanting to partner with it. “This robust demand highlights the attractiveness of Cell C and the overall health of the MVNO market, and the flexibility and comprehensive support Cell C offers,” said Stephen Morony, Chief Office of Cell C’s wholesale business. While Cell C no longer operates its own cellular towers, it remains a mobile virtual network enabler (#MVNE). Looking ahead, Morony said Cell C’s key areas of focus in the MVNO space are retaining current business, fostering new opportunities, expanding service offerings, and building scalability to meet the space’s growing needs. Banks and retailers with extensive customer bases and strong brands have entered the market, introducing crossover products to provide value to their customers In example, the MVNO Capitec Connect, running on Cell C’s platform has shown strong growth since its launch in September 2022. In September 2023, Capitec released its half-year financial results, revealing that it had issued 1.3 million SIMs since its launch. MTN South Africa recently told MyBroadband that it also sees great opportunity for growth in the MVNO space: https://lnkd.in/gfqCse85 “MTN has witnessed strong growth of MVNOs in the country, in recent years. Considering current demand and interest shown there is still good growth expected in the market,” it said. “MVNOs, therefore, form a big part of our wholesale partner proposition, and our plan is to continue expanding and offering the best MVNO services to our customers.” https://lnkd.in/gpxUXREJ

Logistic platform BeGo has launched an MVNO for transporters in Mexico BeGo, a technology platform for logistic processes has announced the launch of their mobile virtual network operator (#MVNO), "Hey Móvil" (Hey Mobile). Ivan Cardenas, CEO and Co-Founder of BeGo said that with the launch of their MVNO, BeGo aim to offer transporters a more economical connectivity option, in addition to greater quality and coverage where traditional operators do not reach. #HeyMóvil is a MVNO focused on business-to-business (B2B) and its plans comes with 5GB, 8GB and 40GB, with unlimited data (zero rate) for use with the BeGo platform, starting at 185 Mexican pesos. And this is not the only service that BeGo is launching. It also launched an Artificial Intelligence (#AI) assistant called BeGo Black, which is an intelligent assistant in an app that understands the business of transporters. In example, it helps them to optimize the use of fleets and automated tariff classification. BeGo has also introduced a special #insurance package with Prudential, as Prudential was able to create a specific policy for the 7.5 million people in the industry, offering relevant benefits such as virtual medical consultations wherever they are and insurance for hospitalization or unemployment. https://lnkd.in/gTnddS5x

TDS Telecom is gearing up to launch its MVNO "TDS Mobile" TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom), is gearing up to launch TDS Mobile, as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (#MVNO), through a partnership with the National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC). "We are excited to add mobile to our portfolio as we continue to deliver on our promise of offering reliable, high-quality products and services to our customers," said Shane West, TDS Telecom Chief Operating Officer. TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, employs 3,400 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video, hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular, TDS Telecom, and OneNeck IT Solutions. Initially, #TDSmobile will be offered exclusively for internet customers in many of its service areas before making it widely available. TDS will begin notifying eligible customers about the new product offerings soon. https://lnkd.in/gx_AXtgb 

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗩𝗡𝗢𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲. 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗩𝗡𝗢𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁. The Chair of Thailand’s telecom regulator (#NBTC), Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, is pushing in full force for Thailand to have more mobile virtual network operators (#MVNO), to enable competition in the telecommunication market, so that the 65 million Thai consumers can have more options in using telecommunications services. Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, was speaking at the MVNOs World Congress 2024 in Brussels, Belgium on the topic “Consumers Options beyond SIMs and Numbers”, and said that #Thailand is welcoming - and are ready in terms of telecom, regulation and digital infrastructure to support business operations for all forms of MVNOs to do business in Thailand. The NBTC has announced a policy of "One Region, One MVNO", where they want to push for the creation of MVNO service providers in every region of Thailand. Meanwhile, the NBTC office has been working diligently to improve related regulations to be more conducive to MVNO business operations. “The rapid advancement of telecommunications technology, including 5G SA technology, eSIM/iSIM and Cloud Computing, are all good signs for MVNO, on the future of the telecommunications market. This will raise the level of access to telecommunication services in Thailand to be efficient, meet the needs of consumers and bring more competition into the Thai telecommunications market,” said the NBTC Chair. Attending the event is a great opportunity to exchange visions related to telecommunications governance and attracting more business operators to do business in Thailand, which judging from this meeting, there are many companies and entrepreneurs interested in Thailand, and some have already pledged to come and set up businesses and invest in Thailand soon, including a Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator/Enabler (#MVNA / #MVNE) and MVNOs businesses. Currently, Thailand has a very limited amount of MVNOs, but one of the upcoming MVNOs in Thailand (A Telecom), was also presenting at the #MVNOworldCongress, where Ativat Asvasirayothin, Founder and CEO of A Telecom shared his insights on the topic “From License to Launch: ‘A’ Telecom’s Path in Thailand’s MVNO Landscape. The NBTC Chair said that MVNOs will help promote important national strategies very well, including using MVNOs that are designed for special public health services, to promote Thailand as a hub for medical tourism, raising the level of Thai tourism by facilitating international mobile roaming, as well as the promotion of Data Centers in Thailand. https://lnkd.in/gT49fn8p

กสทช. ดัน MVNO เต็มสูบ หนุนโอเปอเรเตอร์โครงข่ายเสมือน (MVNO) ลงทุนในไทย ส่งเสริมทางเลือกให้ผู้บริโภคในตลาดโทรคมนาคม     ประธาน #กสทช. ตั้งเป้าให้ไทยมีผู้ประกอบธุรกิจโอเปอเรเตอร์โครงข่ายเสมือน (#MVNO) เพิ่มขึ้น เพื่อให้คนไทยมีทางเลือกในการใช้เครือข่ายโทรคมนาคมมากขึ้น ส่งเสริมการแข่งขันในตลาดโทรคมนาคม     ศาสตราจารย์คลินิกนายแพทย์สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์ ประธานกรรมการกิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ (กสทช.) กล่าวในการประชุม MVNO World Congress 2024 ณ กรุงบรัสเซลส์ ราชอาณาจักรเบลเยียม ในหัวข้อการบรรยายเรื่อง Consumers Options beyond Sims and Numbers ว่าประเทศไทยมีความพร้อมในด้านโครงสร้างพื้นฐานทางโทรคมนาคมและดิจิทัลที่สามารถสนับสนุนการประกอบธุรกิจสำหรับ MVNO ในทุกรูปแบบ ให้เข้ามาประกอบธุรกิจในไทย เพื่อให้ผู้บริโภคสามารถเข้าถึงบริการอินเทอร์เน็ตดาต้าที่เหมาะสมกับกลุ่มตลาด (Target) ที่เหมาะสมกับตนเองได้ ซึ่งในปัจจุบัน กสทช. มีนโยบาย “หนึ่ง MVNO หนึ่งภูมิภาค” ที่ต้องการจะผลักดันให้เกิดผู้ให้บริการ MVNO ในทุกภูมิภาคของไทย ขณะที่สำนักงาน กสทช. ได้ทำงานอย่างแข็งขัน เพื่อปรับปรุงกฎระเบียบที่เกี่ยวข้องให้เอื้อต่อการประกอบธุรกิจ MVNO มากยิ่งขึ้น     “เทคโนโลยีโทรคมนาคมที่ก้าวหน้าอย่างรวดเร็วทั้ง เทคโนโลยี #5G SA เทคโนโลยี #eSIM (embedded SIM) / iSIM (integrated SIM) รวมทั้ง Cloud Computing ล้วนเป็นนิมิตหมายที่ดีสำหรับ MVNO ในฐานะอนาคตของตลาดโทรคมนาคม ซึ่งจะยกระดับการเข้าถึงบริการโทรคมนาคมของไทยให้มีประสิทธิภาพ ตรงความต้องการของผู้บริโภค และจะทำให้เกิดการแข่งขันในตลาดโทรคมนาคมของไทยมากขึ้น” ประธาน กสทช. กล่าว     ปัจจุบัน ประเทศไทยยังมีผู้ให้บริการ MVNO ซึ่งมีแบรนด์ที่แข็งแกร่งไม่มากนัก และยังไม่มีการให้บริการแบบ Full MVNO ซึ่งการเข้าร่วมประชุมครั้งนี้ เป็นโอกาสอันดีที่ได้แลกเปลี่ยนวิสัยทัศน์ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการกำกับดูแลกิจการโทรคมนาคม และดึงดูดผู้ประกอบธุรกิจทั้ง #MVNA (Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator) #MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) และ MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) ให้เข้ามาประกอบธุรกิจในไทยมากขึ้น ซึ่ง  จากการประชุมครั้งนี้ มีผู้ประกอบการหลายรายให้ความสนใจในประเทศไทย และหลายรายให้คำมั่นว่าจะเข้ามาจัดตั้งธุรกิจและลงทุนภายในประเทศไทยในเร็ว ๆ นี้     ประธาน กสทช. กล่าวว่า MVNO จะช่วยส่งเสริมยุทธศาสตร์ที่สำคัญของชาติได้เป็นอย่างดี ทั้งการใช้ MVNO ที่ออกแบบมาเพื่อใช้สำหรับบริการด้านสาธารณสุขโดยเฉพาะ เพื่อส่งเสริมประเทศไทยในฐานะศูนย์กลางการแพทย์เชิงท่องเที่ยว (hub for medical tourism) ยกระดับการท่องเที่ยวไทยโดยการอำนวยความสะดวกในการโรมมิ่งข้ามประเทศ (International Mobile Roaming) รวมถึงการส่งเสริม Data Centre ในประเทศไทย     ทั้งนี้ #MVNOworldCongress เป็นการประชุมที่ใหญ่ที่สุดที่เกี่ยวข้องกับธุรกิจ MVNO ซึ่งจัดขึ้นมาแล้วกว่า 20 ครั้ง และมีผู้เข้าร่วมทั้งบุคลากรจากภาครัฐและภาคเอกชนจากทั่วโลก โดยมีการหารือเกี่ยวกับเทคโนโลยีใหม่ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับ MVNO รวมทั้งเป็นการสร้างเครือข่าย MVNO ให้เข้มแข็งมากขึ้น โดยในปีนี้จัดขึ้นระหว่างวันที่ 24 - 26 มิถุนายน 2567 ณ กรุงบรัสเซลส์ ราชอาณาจักรเบลเยียม #NBTC #MVNOThailand #MVNOSERVICES #ATelecom https://lnkd.in/gBTv4cZA

Mhnet Telecom has launched its MVNO in Brazil The brazilian telecommunications company Mhnet Telecom, which operates with internet via fiber, streaming TV and Telehealth, has launched its mobile virtual network operator (#MVNO) "Móvel Mh" At first, the service will be exclusive to the company's customers, and #MhMobile's coverage will be available in specific municipalities in three states: Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná. According to Rodrigo Teixeira Machado, Mhnet’s Retail Sales Director, the goal of the new service is to deliver a multiplatform experience with several solutions for Mhnet customers. “ We are increasingly seeking to become a solutions aggregator in the telecommunications market, delivering to Mhnet customers a multiplatform experience with several solutions, including Mh Mobile ,” he told MinhaOperadora. With this, the company aims to offer an integrated experience, where customers can enjoy internet, TV and now mobile telephony services, all in one place. https://lnkd.in/gqPEZkWr