22 May 2025
# MVNOs World 2025 – what did we learn?
## Growing globally, with a global outlook
For a conference offering a global perspective, it was fitting that this year’s [MVNOs’ World](https://tmt.knect365.com/mvnos-world/) took place next to the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, the capital of what was once the Austro-Hungarian empire.
## MVNOs continue to capture market share
The view of the MVNO market presented during the event was equally expansive, led by Dario Talmasio’s presentation illustrating both MVNO market growth and change, with global MVNO subscriptions expected to rise to 329 million by 2029 (Informa data) and MNO sub-brands also continuing to grow.
While budget, youth and migrant / travel propositions still dominate, — now delivered with an increasingly ‘digital’ experience — there are also new kids on the block in the form of providers of other services adding mobile to their portfolio.
## Extending into mobile from finance and utility segments
Key examples cited included Revolut, the fast-growing mobile banking service, and news that Octopus Energy in the UK may soon launch an MVNO. Both offer services in traditional (that is, utility and finance) markets but both also eagerly exploit digital app-based channels as their primary route to market. Including eSIM-based mobile services as part of their offers both increases their value to customers and provides more direct control of the value chain.
## Travel eSIMs a rapidly gaining popularity
Otherwise, ‘proposition of the month’ is the ‘Travel eSIM’, with the expectation stated that 10-15% of international travellers will use travel eSIM subscriptions by end 2025 with a total of $3 billion retail spend (Kaleido Intelligence).
Clearly, the two drivers here are the ability for international MVNOs to establish their own national and international roaming agreements, and the convenience of eSIM, at least when some of the current process inconveniences are overcome, another topic of discussion.
## Which market do you want to target? Mobile Cloud is the MVNE as a Service for your business
Separately, so-called ‘niche’ players still have a role, with the MVNO model providing a basis for MNOs to benefit from others able to target more specific markets, whether through personalised mobile numbers for businesses or more socially conscious services for the otherwise digitally excluded.
Underpinning these developments is the relationship between MNOs and MVNOs / MVNAs, both as partners and competitors. Sessions on negotiating with MNOs for a good wholesale deal and how MVNOs need to engage with regulators, particularly where there is operator consolidation, highlighted the need for MVNOs to be clear on their value both individually and to the wider mobile services market, as well as for finance, travel and IoT services.
[Digitalk Mobile Cloud](https://www.digitalk.com/mobile-cloud/empower-your-mobile-future) supports both MNOs, enabling multiple MVNOs and sub-brands, and MVNOs, both national and international, to provide a broad range of propositions, including budget, travel, retail, health, and finance service.
So, whichever market wave you seek to surf, Mobile Cloud is the ideal solution to propel your MVNO brand — and your partners — to the next level. [Get in touch](https://www.digitalk.com/contact) to learn more!
## FAQ
- What were the key takeaways from MVNOs World 2025?MVNOs World 2025 highlighted strong global growth in the MVNO market, with subscriptions forecast to reach 329 million by 2029. Key themes included the rapid rise of travel eSIMs, non-telco brands like Revolut and Octopus Energy entering mobile, and the growing importance of digital-first customer experiences.
- How big is the travel eSIM market in 2025?Travel eSIMs are one of the fastest-growing segments in mobile, with forecasts suggesting 10–15% of international travellers will use travel eSIM subscriptions by end of 2025, representing around $3 billion in retail spend.
- Which industries are launching MVNOs in 2025?Finance and energy companies are among the most active new entrants. Mobile banking service Revolut and UK energy provider Octopus Energy are both cited as examples of non-telco brands adding mobile services to their portfolios to increase customer value and control their own distribution.
- What is an MVNE and why does it matter for launching an MVNO?An MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) provides the technology infrastructure that MVNOs need to operate — including billing, provisioning, and network connectivity. Digitalk's Mobile Cloud is an MVNE as a Service that allows businesses to launch and scale MVNOs quickly, whether for budget, travel, retail, health, or finance markets.
- How can Digitalk help me launch an MVNO?Digitalk's Mobile Cloud platform supports both MNOs enabling sub-brands and MVNOs launching new services. It's a modular, scalable MVNE as a Service designed to help businesses of all sizes enter the mobile market efficiently.
---
**Share this post**
[  ](https://www.digitalk.com/javascript:copyToClipboard();)
[  ](https://www.digitalk.com/javascript:window.open("https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url="%20+%20document.location.href))
[  ](https://www.digitalk.com/javascript:window.open("https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u="%20+%20window.location.href))
[  ](https://www.digitalk.com/javascript:window.open("https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url="%20+%20document.location.href))