From fintechs to airlines, HR platforms to smartwatches, more and more companies are embedding connectivity in their products. Described by some as an ‘MVNO in a Box’, these brands are launching premium mobile services fast, without the cost or complexity of building their own wireless infrastructure.
This article dives into the MVNO in a Box model, exploring why MVNOs are on the rise, how tech brands are redefining the telecom industry, and why it’s easier than ever before to launch a mobile service.
Let’s get started.
The rise of modern MVNOs
First, let’s cover the basics. A Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a company that offers mobile services without owning the wireless infrastructure. Instead, MVNOs lease network access from major carriers (MNOs) and resell it under their own brand.
Historically, MVNOs focused on offering low-cost mobile plans, targeting price-sensitive customers with a cheap product. But today, the landscape is changing fast.
Leading brands like Nubank, Revolut, and Wealthsimple are now offering world class mobile services embedded seamlessly in the platforms we use daily. Far from the “low cost, low quality” MVNO model, these brands provide:
Exceptional mobile experiences: High-speed data and nationwide 5G coverage bundled with great perks targeted to their audience.
World-class UX: Fully digital sign-ups, one-tap eSIM activation, and intuitive subscription management.
Tailored plans: Custom offerings that fit users’ needs, rather than rigid one-size-fits-all contracts.
By offering users a better way to stay connected at home and abroad, these brands aren’t just earning revenue, they’re building real customer love and lasting platform loyalty.
The old way: Why launching an MVNO was so difficult
Before we uncover what’s driving the boom in embedded connectivity services, it’s worth exploring how companies launched mobile services in the past.
Back in the day, delivering a telecom product was a massive undertaking, full of complexity and cost. Companies had to spend months negotiating contracts with MNOs, navigating complex integrations, building user interfaces from scratch, and tackling an intricate web of compliance regulations—before they even got their mobile service off the ground. It was a process that required substantial time, expertise, and upfront investment.
Here are just some of the factors businesses had to consider when launching an MVNO:
Network access: Negotiating contracts with multiple carriers across markets could take years, with no guarantee of competitive commercials or plan flexibility.
Upfront commitments: Large carriers demand millions of dollars in volume commitments paid upfront, meaning new MVNOs had to take on considerable risk.
Integration with carriers: Because legacy telecom systems aren’t designed for modern platforms, companies had to put hours of costly development work into building complex integrations.
Billing, SIM-provisioning, and customer support: Companies either had to partner with multiple MVNEs or spend millions of dollars developing solutions in-house.
Compliance: Telecom is a highly regulated industry, with laws differing across countries and states. MVNOs must adhere to local rules on consumer protection, data privacy, service standards, taxes, and fees, or face significant fines.
For years, these high barriers to entry dissuaded innovative companies from entering the telecom market, while ongoing operational costs made it difficult for those who tried to turn a profit.
The solution: MVNO in a Box
At Gigs, we believe integrating connectivity with any platform should be easy. So easy, it’s possible to launch to millions of users in multiple markets in a matter of weeks with minimal upfront investment or ongoing cost.
Our end-to-end telecom operating system is designed to provide everything you need to launch and scale a mobile service—all in one place. Rather than dealing with multiple connectivity partners or spending millions on building intricate solutions in-house, you can embed connectivity into your product effortlessly, in a matter of weeks, with a single integration.
That’s why some people call Gigs an ‘MVNO in a Box’.
What Gigs offers:
Network access: Premium, prioritized connectivity across multiple carriers and countries through one API.
Billing & Payments: Fully-optimized checkout with payments and tax compliance built-in.
eSIM distribution: World-class UX, including one-tap eSIM activations with zero friction.
Regulatory compliance: We take care of compliance so you don’t have to, ensuring all telecom regulations are met across regions.
Subscription management and customer support: Hassle-free onboarding, automated number porting and seamless support.
The benefits of an MVNO in a Box
With Gigs, you no longer need to invest millions in telecom infrastructure or spend months negotiating and integrating with carriers. A small team can launch an MVP in weeks, test product-market fit, and scale efficiently, without risk or complexity.
The benefits of this approach speak for themselves.
Faster time to market: Launch in a matter of weeks—a crucial advantage in fast-moving industries where speed defines success.
Enhanced efficiency: Drastically cut down your team’s workload, with pre-built modules for billing, network integration, customer management, and compliance.
Multi-market expansion from Day One: Access multiple networks through a single integration and offer local mobile services across different regions—plus travel eSIMs—without negotiating separate agreements with each carrier.
Regulatory headaches solved: Gigs handles compliance for you, acting as the carrier of record (if needed) and ensuring telecom taxes and fees are applied automatically—so your team doesn’t have to navigate complex regulations.
Seamless user experience: Pre-built user flows for checkout, one-tap eSIM activation, and subscription management mean a frictionless experience for your customers. A smooth, intuitive interface not only boosts customer satisfaction, but also reduces churn.
The future of mobile services
As more players enter the telecom space, the way people access connectivity is changing.
For consumers, this means the end of rigid, one-size-fits-all phone plans—making way for smarter perks, more intuitive mobile services, and seamless digital experiences tailored to their needs.
For businesses, this is more than just a chance to offer a product customers will love. It’s an opportunity to become the go-to provider for one of life’s core essentials, driving long-term customer loyalty and engagement.
To find out more about how you can bring your mobile service to market with Gigs, get in touch.
