Mobile network operator
Encyclopedia
A mobile network operator (MNO), also known as mobile phone operator (or simply mobile operator or mobo), carrier service provider (CSP), wireless service provider, wireless carrier, or cellular company, or mobile network carrier is a telephone company
that provides services
for mobile phone subscribers.
One essential characteristic that defines a mobile network operator is that they must have acquired a radio spectrum license
from the government before they can clear cell phone service within a country. The precise spectrum
obtained does depend on the type of mobile phone
technology the operator intends to deploy. For example, a Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSM) network operator will require a GSM frequency range
. The government allocates spectrum using whichever method it chooses, although the most common method is an auction
. Recent allocation of 3G
and WiMax
licenses in Europe
and India
(only 3G in India) have been auctioned.
However the operator must also deploy essential equipment in order to offer the services, most notably the radio transmitter network
and the core network
. In addition, other service platforms such as voicemail
and short message service center
will be deployed as well as billing
and customer relationship management
(CRM) systems.
Telephone company
A telephone company is a service provider of telecommunications services such as telephony and data communications access. Many were at one time nationalized or state-regulated monopolies...
that provides services
GSM services
GSM services are a standard collection of applications and features available to mobile phone subscribers all over the world. The GSM standards are defined by the 3GPP collaboration and implemented in hardware and software by equipment manufacturers and mobile phone operators...
for mobile phone subscribers.
One essential characteristic that defines a mobile network operator is that they must have acquired a radio spectrum license
Frequency allocation
Use of radio frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum is regulated by governments in most countries, in a Spectrum management process known as frequency allocation or spectrum allocation. Radio propagation does not stop at national boundaries...
from the government before they can clear cell phone service within a country. The precise spectrum
Radio spectrum
Radio spectrum refers to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum corresponding to radio frequencies – that is, frequencies lower than around 300 GHz ....
obtained does depend on the type of mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
technology the operator intends to deploy. For example, a Global System for Mobile Communications
Global System for Mobile Communications
GSM , is a standard set developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to describe technologies for second generation digital cellular networks...
(GSM) network operator will require a GSM frequency range
GSM frequency ranges
GSM frequency bands or frequency ranges are the cellular frequencies designated by the ITU for the operation of GSM mobile phones.- GSM frequency bands :There are fourteen bands defined in 3GPP TS 45.005, which succeeded 3GPP TS 05.05:...
. The government allocates spectrum using whichever method it chooses, although the most common method is an auction
Auction
An auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder...
. Recent allocation of 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
and WiMax
WiMAX
WiMAX is a communication technology for wirelessly delivering high-speed Internet service to large geographical areas. The 2005 WiMAX revision provided bit rates up to 40 Mbit/s with the 2011 update up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations...
licenses in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(only 3G in India) have been auctioned.
However the operator must also deploy essential equipment in order to offer the services, most notably the radio transmitter network
Base Station Subsystem
The base station subsystem is the section of a traditional cellular telephone network which is responsible for handling traffic and signaling between a mobile phone and the network switching subsystem...
and the core network
Network Switching Subsystem
Network switching subsystem is the component of a GSM system that carries out call switching and mobility management functions for mobile phones roaming on the network of base stations...
. In addition, other service platforms such as voicemail
Voicemail
Voicemail is a computer based system that allows users and subscribers to exchange personal voice messages; to select and deliver voice information; and to process transactions relating to individuals, organizations, products and services, using an ordinary telephone...
and short message service center
Short message service center
A short message service center is a network element in the mobile telephone network which delivers SMS messages.-Operation:When a user sends a text message to another user, the message gets stored in the SMSC which delivers it to the destination user when they are available...
will be deployed as well as billing
Call accounting
A Call Accounting System is a telecommunications software or hardware application that captures, records, and costs telephone usage events. Internationally call accounting systems may be referred to as call logging systems...
and customer relationship management
Customer relationship management
Customer relationship management is a widely implemented strategy for managing a company’s interactions with customers, clients and sales prospects. It involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize business processes—principally sales activities, but also those for marketing,...
(CRM) systems.
See also
- List of mobile network operators
- Mobile virtual network operatorMobile virtual network operatorA mobile virtual network operator is a company that provides mobile phone services but does not have its own licensed frequency allocation of radio spectrum, nor does it necessarily have all of the infrastructure required to provide mobile telephone service...
- Telephone companyTelephone companyA telephone company is a service provider of telecommunications services such as telephony and data communications access. Many were at one time nationalized or state-regulated monopolies...
- List of telephone operating companies