Mobile voice over IP (VoIP) startup, AppChat is on track to launch its first products later this year, and is ‘very close’ to signing a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) agreement with one of the mobile operators.
“As high mobile telephony and data costs are steadily whittled down by regulation and innovative Voice over IP-enabled communication models (VoIP), exorbitant roaming costs are among the last remaining bastions of high mobile charges,” says Rob Lith, Director of Connection Telecom.
Mobile voice over data (a.k.a. voice over IP – VoIP) services offer consumers a more affordable way to make voice calls from their mobile phones. This poses a serious threat to the cellular operators’ traditional voice revenue, and it is not clear how they will battle this threat.
Cell C is set to sign their second mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) agreement, similar to the agreement which the company has with Virgin Mobile.
Holdsworth, a feisty Englishman who founded ECN Telecommunications, which he sold to JSE-listed Reunert last year for R172m, has his fair share of admirers and detractors in SA’s telecom industry.
AppChat, the mobile voice specialist founded by former ECN Telecommunications CEO John Holdsworth, will launch as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in South Africa later this year, TechCentral reports.
AppChat, the mobile voice specialist founded recently by former ECN Telecommunications CEO John Holdsworth, will launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) later this year, TechCentral has learnt exclusively.
Altech Autopage Cellular, SA’s biggest independent cellular service provider, has backed away from plans to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) after giving serious thought last year to the idea of launching one.
He hints that a more aggressive and flexible wholesale offering is on the cards from MTN, including allowing mobile virtual network operators — Virgin Mobile, which uses Cell C’s infrastructure, is the only example of an MVNO in SA — to piggyback on its network.
Virgin Mobile has launched prepaid BlackBerry Internet Service plans in South Africa.
“It is essential to remove barriers that prevent mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) from having access to wholesale mobile services on local conditions and on fair and reasonable terms,” says the OECD.
France Telecom (FT) Orange could make an entry into the South African mobile market as an MVNO. The company, according to the consulting and research firm Frost & Sullivan, is believed to be looking to start operations in the country as early as this year.
Mr Knott-Craig made it clear he will not focus on the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market, which has been part of Cell C’s strategy for many years. Cell C has MVNO partnerships with Virgin Mobile and Red Bull.
Vodacom and Cell C say that in the mobile space, companies already access their network through roaming agreements and partnerships such as Mobile Virtual Network Operator. Cell C has a similar agreement with Virgin Mobile, which piggybacks on Cell C’s network.
In their presentation Cell C supported the LLU process. Cell C further called on ICASA to create an environment to allow MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) and MVNEs (mobile virtual network enablers) to prosper.
Africa is in the midst of a technological revolution, and nothing illustrates that fact than the proliferation of mobile phones.
JSE-listed technology group Altech is considering big changes at its largest subsidiary, Altech Autopage Cellular. Options on the table include launching a MVNO and bidding for radio frequency spectrum to build its own fourth-generation (4G) mobile network.
Comverse ONE’s Rich MVNO Capabilities to Support Cell C for Strong Growth as a Wholesale MVNE
Birdstep and Cell C supports Red Bull MOBILE with EasyConnect
Red Bull Mobile would be the country’s second mobile virtual network operator, the international energy drinks company instead partnered with third mobile operator Cell C to present SA’s first niche focused mobile offering in February.