The Australian Mobile Market has Four Main Mobile Network Operators(MNO)s and has a total of 36 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) and counting. Based on our research, we have identified that Three aka Hutchison 3G has 0 MVNO Companies, while Singtel Optus has 17 MVNO and Telstra Corporation Limited has 8 MVNO and finally Vodafone has 14 MVNO Companies using its network.

View a Brief Overview on the Australian Telecommunications Market or; Download
The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s official “Communications Report 2009-10“, published in Nov, 2010.

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Australia (+61) Wireless Networks
Three aka Hutchison 3G Australia Pty Limited*
Singtel Optus Limited
Telstra Corporation Limited
Vodafone Pacific Limited*

Note: *Hutchinson & Vodafone Merged in June 2009 to form Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA)

*Use the Menu Above, to Jump to the Respective Countries Listing Page

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Current Australian MVNO/MVNE Companies

This is an updated and fairly comprehensive listing for MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) in Australia today. We have listed most known and Active Australia MVNO/SP & ESP companies (where possible).

If you have updated information about the companies listed below, or are not listed then please use the following form.

MVNO:	7-Eleven Speak-Up	AAPT	Amaysim
Austar	B Digital	Boost Mobile	Cellhire Australia
Communic8	Crazy John’s	Digiplus	DodoTel
Fone Zone	Gametel	Globalstar Australia	gotalk
GTMobile	IINET	ISIM	ispONE
Just Mobile	Lebara Mobile	Lyca Mobile	M2 Telecom
Macquarie Mobile	People Telecom	Primus Telecom	PennySIM
Red Bull	Revolution Telecom	Reward Mobile	RSL Com
Savvytel	Slimtel	Soul Mobile	Southern Cross Mobile
Think Mobile	Telecall	TruPhone	Virgin Mobile
Woolsworth-Safeway

Access Category = Australia and see posts & articles, or alternatively Subscribe to Australia’s’ RSS News Feed.

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Austrlia MVNO Companies

7-Eleven Speak-Up
See Previous Australian MVNO Companies.

AAPT
AAPT is Australia’s third largest land line telecommunications company and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telecom New Zealand. The company is a member of the Infrastructure Assurance Advisory Group for the Critical Infrastructure Protection branch of the Attorney-General’s department. In 2000 the company was acquired by Telecom New Zealand in stages and delisted from the stock exchange [3]. Today AAPT claims to be one of only three Australian telecommunications providers to own and operate its own national voice and data network. AAPT has positioned itself an MVNO in the mobile market utilising Vodafone Australia. In 2006 Commoditel, acquired AAPT’s prepaid customer base. A few years later, APT’s consumer business was acquired from Telecom New Zealand in July 2010 and was sold to the Australian ISP IINET for $60 Million.
MVNO; Networks: Optus & Vodafone; Services: Pre+Postpaid; Status: Active

amaysim
amaysim was introduced to Australia in November 2010 by a group of successful entrepreneurs with a proven international track record in Australia, Europe, the United States, South America and Asia. amaysim’s European Founders previously launched a similar business, simyo, a mobile company that grew quickly to become a market leader in its category in Germany, Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
MVNO; Networks: Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active: New MVNO launched Nov, 2010

Austar
AUSTAR is Australia’s premier pay television provider in regional and rural Australia and capital cities Hobart and Darwin. Australia’s second largest Pay TV provider, AUSTAR has over 400,000 homes connected in its service area of 2.1 million homes, delivering a world of entertainment and information. AUSTAR Mobile and Southern Cross Telco have reached agreement for Southern Cross Telco to acquire AUSTAR’s mobile services customers. This assignment of AUSTAR Mobile customers to Southern Cross Telco is effective from March 1, 2011. Southern Cross Telco is a wholly owned subsidiary of M2 Telecommunications Group Ltd, Australia’s largest network independent provider of telecommunications services.
MVNO; Networks:  Optus and reportedly working with Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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B Digital
Perth-based B Digital, but rebranded as Soul
MVNO; Networks:  Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Boost Mobile
Lifestyle MVNO targeting the youth market. Group also has a division in the US.
MVNO; Networks: Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Cellhire Australia
Strategic Partner; Global Mobility Plc
MVNO; Networks: Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Communic8
Now branded “ Telstra Prepaid Plus”
MVNO; Networks:  Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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Crazy John’s
MVNO for major Australian phone retailer. Purchased by Vodafone on 4th September 2008.
MVNO; Networks:  Vodafone; Services: Pre+Postpaid; Status: Active

Digiplus
See Previous Australian MVNO Companies.

DodoTel
MVNO; Networks:  Vodafone; Services: Pre+Postpaid; Status: Active

Fone Zone
MVNO; Networks: Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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Gametel
See Previous Australian MVNO Companies.

Globalstar Australia aka Pivotel GSM
Satellite SP operating in Australia and New Zealand.
MVNO/SP; Networks:  Optus, Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

gotalk Mobile
gotalk is an Australian owned, publicly unlisted and fast growing telecommunications company with revenues of over $100 million per annum and 200 staff throughout Australia and New Zealand. The company was established in 2000 and has grown remarkably through acquiring other businesses and creating innovative and competitive products. gotalk’s success is a result of the company’s ability to reinvent itself and cater to different ethnic groups. Today, gotalk leads the Australian calling card market and handles over a billion international minutes per year – which represents 20% of all Australian outbound international call traffic. Cutting edge, the gotalk group of companies evolves with its public by constantly offering new, convenient and low cost solutions for various communication needs. gotalk’s most innovative product, the gotalk Prepaid Mobile is becoming more and more popular. It provides customers with fantastic low rates on national and international calls and SMS and was launched in September 2009.
MVNO; Network: Unknown; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

GT Mobile
GT Mobile was launched in 2010 in Australia and is aimed for the ethnic community and offers competitive international rates. GT Mobile operates in Denmark, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom under the same brand.
MVNO; Network: Telstra; MVNE; LycaMobile; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active Services: Pre+postpaid; Status: Active

IINET
MVNO; Networks:  Optus; Services: Pre+Postpaid; Status: Active: New MVNO launched Dec, 2010

ISIM
See Previous Australian MVNO Companies.

ispONE
ispONE is a dynamic new communications company and market developer of premium wholesale, business and residential Internet products and services for the demanding Australian Internet Service Provider Industry. ispONE is an Australian organisation leading the way in complete ISP services through innovative technical systems and leading edge products and services.OneMobile, a service offered by ispONE supports MVNO´s by enabling them to be a supplier of mobile services and creating a successful and cost efficient service to their customers whether they are Telecom or Internet provider.
MVNE; Networks: Various; Services: MVNE, ISP; Status: Active

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Just Mobile
ESP for ComTel Corporation Limited which is a subsidiary of DPG.
MVNO/ESP; Networks: Vodafone; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Lebara Mobile
View Lebara Company Profile.
MVNO; Networks: Vodafone; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Lyca Mobile
MVNO; Network: Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active: New MVNO launched Nov, 2010

M2 Telecommunications Group Ltd (ASX: MTU)
MVNO; Networks: Optus; Services: Pre+Postpaid; Status: Active

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Macquarie Telecom Mobile
Focused on business and government Sector.
MVNO; Networks: Vodafone; Services: Pre+Postpaid; Status: Active

People Telecom
MVNO; Networks: Optus & Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Primus Telecom
As a full service carrier, Primus operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including ISDN, frame relay, ATM, telephone line, broadband x-DSL and mobile, as well as telephone line, broadband x-DSL and mobile services direct to residential customers.
MVNO; Networks:  Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

PennySIM
No Information Can be found on the mobile service other than it’s website. If you have information on the status of this company, and the services that it offers, please send an email to: mvnolist (at) prepaidmvno (dot) com. Current Network is Unknown.
MVNO; Networks:  UNKNOWN; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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Red Bull
Red Bull GmbH is an Austrian company (originated from Krating Daeng in Thailand) which sells the Red Bull energy drink. In 2010, more than 4.204 billion cans were sold in over 161 countries. 7,758 employees generated 3.78 billion euros in turnover.The headquarters of Red Bull GmbH are located in Fuschl am See, Austria.
MVNO; Networks: Vodafone; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active – New 22-08-11

Revolution Telecom
ESP for ComTel Corporation Limited which is a subsidiary of DPG.
MVNO/ESP; Networks: Vodafone; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Reward Mobile
VirTel Intelligence was Australia’s first Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) and a wholesale partner of Vodafone Australia. The company enabled the entry of new brands to the Vodafone network by providing access to white-labeled wholesale voice and data services. VirTel works closely with billing and customer service partners that charge on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis making it easy and economic for brands to launch their services. In December 2004 the company purchased the customer base of Vodafone ASP Mobile Innovations to form VirTel group and its associated MVNO, Reward Mobile. In June 2005 VirTel Group was acquired by Sonnet Corporation
MVNO/ESP; Networks: Vodafone; MVNE: VirTel; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

RSL Com
MVNO; Networks: Unknown; Services: unknown; Status: Prelaunch

Savvytel
Savvytel is a mobile phone company based in St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia which has been reported to be currently in liquidation.
MVNO; Networks:  Vodafone; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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Slimtel
Niche ESP player targeting ethnic communities through MVNE Virtel Group.
MVNO/ESP; Networks: Vodafone; MVNE: VirTel; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Soul Mobile
MVNO; Networks:  Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Southern Cross Mobile
MVNO; Networks:  Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Telecall
MVNO; Networks:  Optus & Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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Think Mobile
Subsidiary MVNO Sub-Brand owned by Pivotel Group Pty Limited.
MVNO; Networks: Vodafone & Telstra; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

TruPhone
UK based Truphone, a mobile service provider that offers local numbers in multiple countries on a single SIM, has entered the Australian market by becoming an MVNO on the Optus network and buying local fixed and mobile services.
MVNO; Networks: Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active: New MVNO launched Dec, 2010

Virgin Mobile
MVNO; Networks: Optus; Services: Pre+Postpaid; Status: Active

Woolsworth-Safeway
MVNO; Networks:  Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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Previous Australian MVNO Companies

7-Eleven Speak-Up
MVNO owned by low-cost telco Commoditel
MVNO; Networks: Vodafone; Services: prepaid; Status: Stopped

Digiplus
MVNO; Networks:  Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

Gametel
ESP for ComTel Corporation Limited which is a subsidiary of DPG.
MVNO/ESP; Networks: Vodafone; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

ISIM
100% owned by Optus offering pre-paid service. Not really an MVNO, but a alternative-calling solution.
MVNO; Networks:  Optus; Services: Prepaid; Status: Active

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Australian Telecommunications Overview (Brief)

This report provides statistics and forecasts for 2010 as well as high-level commentary on the overall market, market shares by operator and detail of 2G and 3G and prepaid and postpaid usage. For those needing detailed revenues, forecasting and analysis on the Australian telecommunications market, this report provides essential reading and gives in-depth industry information on:

• Revenue, annual growth and market share statistics;
• ISP and Internet statistics;
• Business market and Residential market broadband statistics;
• Analysis and revenue forecasting for 2010 and 2020;
• Market statistics segmentation by voice, mobile and data;
• Market segmentation and market statistics by major provider;
• Overview and market analysis of the 2nd tier telco market as well as Telstra and Optus.

‘During 2010 dramatic changes will occur within the Australian telecoms market. The National Broadband Network Company will start to take shape in order to build a nationwide high-speed network based on fibre-optic and wireless technologies. All of this will assist the industry to double its size to around $80 billion by 2020.

A critical issue for the Australian telecommunications industry in 2010 is whether Telstra will be structurally separated into several separate firms in order to promote competition.

There is a strong probability growth in the Australian economy may be fairly slow in 2010 and a smaller probability that growth may even be flat. Investments in the industry are still seriously down. This is likely to translate into stagnant or low growth in telecommunications. However as consumers and businesses scrutinise discretionary spending some telephony and Internet products may become more popular.

The report provides revenue, revenue growth statistics and analysis for the telecommunications market between 2000 and 2009 by major telecommunications provider as well as our market forecasts for 2010/11. Telstra still dominates the overall Australian telecom market with a massive 66% market share of overall revenues. By mid-2010, it is predicted that Telstra will still have 65% share of the overall revenue market.

The second-tier market is on the verge of massive changes which will occur over the next few years. The critical factors are what changes to the regulatory environment will occur, and even more importantly, how the NBN develops. Second-tier companies are likely to have to reposition themselves. Second-tier firms in Australia are usually virtual service providers to the mass market which purchase services on a wholesale basis from network operators.

A number of second-tier firms are infrastructure operators of networks serving niche markets. Several second-tier firms offer a range of telephony services such as mobile and landlines, as well as internet access. A second group consists of firms which offer only one type of telephony service such as Vodafone or 3 with mobile voice and data services.

Four of the second-tier players: AAPT, Commander, Vodafone and Hutchison now have annual revenues exceeding the $1 billion mark. The second-tier segment is very interesting in terms of mergers and acquisitions in Australia. In 2009 Vodafone and Hutchison (3) in Australia, the third and fourth largest mobile network operators merged their operations. M2 acquired People Telecom in mid-2009 to create the largest firm without significant infrastructure assets, and further consolidation is expected over the period to 2011.

The total number of broadband subscribers reached 7.3 million by mid-2009, a 17% increase over the previous 12 months. Growth in recent years has been driven by further strong uptake of DSL subscribers, although recent growth has not as strong as the previous two years as the majority of the market has now made the transition from dial-up to broadband. In the longer term the development of a fibre optic network operated by a National Broadband operator is likely to have a significant impact on the take up of DSL or cable based services

The business market has been quick to embrace broadband – by 2009 the vast majority of the business sector had made the transition. Further growth is expected moving into 2010 despite difficult economic conditions in Australia. As business users gradually move to faster broadband access via ADSL2+ and, when it’s built, services from the fibre based national broadband network, businesses are increasingly embracing new broadband applications.

Total mobile services revenue earned by the major mobile operators in the financial year to 2009 surged surprisingly despite difficult broader economic conditions in Australia. The industry as a whole earned around $14.3 billion in revenue from mobile services – a growth rate of nearly 10% year-on-year.

Despite subscriber penetration rates being between 110% and 115% of the population, growth is likely to continue for the foreseeable future though the overall rate of growth may slow slightly.

Between 2010 and 2012 revenue growth is expected to be influenced by the following three major factors. The broader economic environment is perhaps the largest influence and economic growth in 2011 and 2012 could well be subdued in Australia.

Revenue growth will also be impacted because of price competition, especially in light of the merger between Vodafone and 3 in Australia to form VHA. The extent to which new telephony services are developed will influence the pace of revenue growth.

In the financial year 2009 Telstra earned more than $6 billion in revenue from mobile services and Optus earned more than $4 billion for the first time. Vodafone Australia earned just under $2.5 billion and Hutchison just over $1.5 billion.

In 2009 the merger between Vodafone and Hutchison in Australia will create a company with mobile services revenue approximately 5% lower than its nearest rival Optus. This will create an interesting market dynamic for the first time in Australia as VHA may aspire to a gaining market share at the expense of Optus.

Australian operators are likely to have more than 25 million mobile subscribers in 2011 as migration and business adoption continue to drive growth. Growth in the number of services has also been boosted in Australia in 2009 by the effective use of economic stimulus. Telstra continues to dominate the market with more than ten million subscribers, Optus has around eight million and VHA has roughly six million subscribers.

Key Highlights:

• Analysis and revenue forecasting for 2010, 2015 and 2020
• Market shares by operator
• Mobile services revenue earned by the major mobile operators for 2008/09
• Mobile and broadband statistics and overviews
• Analysis of the current outlook for the major second-tier firms
• Market survey information including e-business, broadband usage and consumer satisfaction
• Revenue and analysis for the telecommunications market between 2000 and 2009.

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year.

Link to Report

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Resources
Communications Alliance Ltd
Internet Industry Association (IIA)

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s

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*This page was last updated and re-coded on the 12th of Jan, 2011.