This time, let's leave Japan and watch the world's MVNO.As I wrote in the fourth, MVNO is a business model that moves not only in Japan but also around the world.In Japan, the number of MVNO contract lines exceeds 10 million, and cheap smartphones are booming, but what is the world in the world?As a person in MVNO, I have the opportunity to interact with overseas MVNOs, so I would like to introduce you to everyone ( *).
（※）本当は統計やデータを元に、各国の状況を分析するような記事が書ければ良いのですが、今回は気楽なスタイルでご紹介できればと思っています。必ずしも統計やデータに裏付けされない主観も混じるかと思います。ご了承ください。 「MVNOの深イイ話」バックナンバーIn the first place, the telecommunications business is difficult to develop by free competition alone, which is derived from the fact that communication is an industry that forms a network.In other words, it is important to be able to call other terminals from a certain device and send data, and even if the terminal receives services from other telecommunications carriers, we will deliver calls and communications as much as possible.Is necessary.
It is said that the standards and rules for the competitive businesses to ensure mutual calls and communication are important, especially in Europe that this rule is more important than other regions.Let's do it?I think that the spread of MVNOs has preceded the lead of this "strong regulatory authorities" than in other regions.
That's not all.In Europe, where the border is open and can easily visit neighboring countries without a passport, the problem of "Bill Shock" has become a hot topic ahead of other areas.This is a matter of using overseas roaming without knowing it, and if you notice, a large amount of invoices will come.
Although it is an image close to "Pake Death" in Japan, it is also characteristic of the European MVNO market that MVNO has become multinational as one of the Bill SHOCK measures.By operating HLR / HSS (see the 8th series) in addition to the business of the country, the mobile phone network of several countries can be used at local rates (multinationalization).) Is it a form of European -like MVNO?
Europe, an advanced area of MVNO, has not only multinational MVNOs but also diverse MVNOs.The British giant distribution business operator Tesco has developed "TESCO Mobile" reminiscent of Aeon's cheap smartphone business in Japan.
イオンスマホの英国版？ 「Tesco Mobile」The prestigious Fenel Buffy, a Turkish soccer league, runs an MVNO "FenerCell" for club fans, and has grown subscribers with fans service by his soccer players.In the UK and Italy, the post office has been entering the MVNO business for several years, and its own services have been launched, such as user support using post office networks and mobile commors that core postal bank businesses.
It may be said that such European MVNOs are now at the corner.At the beginning of the document called "Setting Up An MVNO" by the British Communications Regulation Agency (OFCOM), "OFCOM does not provide restrictions on any MVNO -related telecommunications businesses that exceed the general rules of the law."It explains that the start of the MVNO business is determined only by negotiations between MVNO and MNO.
You should understand that MVNOs are no longer protected by regulatory authorities in Europe, including the UK?By June 2017, the EU has passed a resolution to gradually set the overseas roaming fee in the European region.This can affect the base of the European multinational MVNO business.I feel like it's a matter of the most advanced MVNO market in the world.
The United States is also a market where many MVNOs exist.However, it seems that the MVNO is slightly different from Europe.In the United States, MVNOs believe that it should exist as a result of free economic activity, and there is no laws and regulations to protect MVNO.Perhaps because of this, US MVNOs are in a market environment where it is difficult to procure a network from MNO, which has stronger negotiations, and it is difficult to differentiate from MNO in terms of price.
下記の図は、FCC（米連邦通信委員会）の発行する"17th Annual Competition Report"（2014年12月）より、プリペイドタイプのデータ通信の1MBあたりの単価を図示したもの。4キャリア（AT&T、Verizon、T-Mobile、Sprint）とMVNO（Virgin Mobile、Boost Mobile、MetroPCS）のデータ通信料金に大きな差がないことが見て取れます。
Therefore, US MVNOs are very focused on connections with users.Only after a strong connection with the user, it seems that it will be possible to compete with four MNO companies.
Assuming a narrow (niche) market depending on the region, language, race, lifestyle, and other users, expand the user using the brand value in the market and other customer rating.It is a strategy to go.There are also MVNOs that are surprising from Japan, such as "Assist Wireless", which develops communication business as a lifeline for poor households, and "PRIDE Wireless", which develops communication projects for sexual minorities.。Always drawing a business composition by thinking about the market was a lot of emotion.
On the other hand, the difficulty of differentiation with the four MNOs means that MVNO companies will continue to fight very hard.In the rapidly changing mobile communication market, we will quickly grab the niche market that will appear in the future and draw a future business model.I felt that such a severe battle was being held.
In Asia, the curtain of MVNO is open in earnest not only in Japan but also in various countries.In China, the MVNO preliminary license was issued to 42 businesses in 2014, and commercialization began.It has been reported that MVNO, who started his business earlier, has already surpassed 20 million contracts as early in 2015.
In Thailand and Malaysia, MVNOs have entered.In emerging countries, MNO expansion of areas, communication standards, and stable supply of communication are inevitably prioritized, and in some countries, we survive those phases and promote competition by introducing MVNO market.It is very encouraging news to be starting.
However, it can be said that MVNOs are hitting issues in each country.In China, it seems that 39 businesses have already launched their business out of the 42 businesses given preliminary licenses, and the preliminary license seems to have been in time for this license.However, it seems that not all businesses are growing steadily, such as the top six businesses account for 88 % of the contract line.
It is also reported that there are structural problems, such as MVNOs who have been able to start the business, and talks with MNOs, a state -owned company, and delayed profits due to high network purchase prices.I am.
On the other hand, in Southeast Asia, excluding Singapore, the challenge is how to promote MVNO services because the population of rural areas is relatively large.Some reports that advertisements and promotion costs are more likely to be profitable.
Unfortunately, in Asia, the progress of MVNOs is still behind Europe and the United States.Nevertheless, Asia, including China and India, has a large population, and it is expected that MVNO spreads in the future.I think it is necessary to share these issues and share wisdom for businesses in each country.
In this way, various MVNOs are trying to bloom in each market environment.Not everything is going well, but the challenges of MVNOs in these countries are only helpful for Japanese MVNOs.This is the growth strategy of MVNO, which tends to be psychologically dependent on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, but with reference to cases in foreign countries, developing businesses multifically, knowing the market, and opening up new markets.You should learn about the strength of Japanese MVNOs.I hope we can tell you an interesting story in the future.
Taishi Sasaki
Internet Initiative (IIJ) Network Headquarters Technical Planning Office Manager
Joined IIJ in 2000, and since then, he has been engaged in the operation, development and planning of network services since then.He participated in the launch of the IIJ MVNO business, especially in 2007, and since then, he has been mainly in charge of corporate and personal MVNO services.He is also a person in IIJmio's official Twitter account @iijmio.
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