Will 2018 be the year of the IoT MVNO?
The IoT industry is gathering pace and is proving to be fertile ground for new innovations to take root. It’s also an opportunity for smaller, more focused players to win lucrative contracts with enterprises and others who need specialist IoT services. A growing number of new entrants are winning business in competition with more established service providers, based on their specialist knowledge and industry focus. Why not join them?
At this time of year, it’s customary for analysts to make predictions for the months to follow. The tendency in recent years has been to focus on specific segments and sectors, reflecting the move away from simple ARPU and numbers of subscribers as KPIs, as well as the increasing complexity of the mobile ecosystem. Consultancy firm Analysys Mason is no exception and, to kick off 2018, they’ve suggested that IoT MVNOs will continue to surprise in the coming year.
That’s because a number of nimble, agile MVNOs have already created waves by winning valuable contracts for the delivery of managed IoT services, beating off competition from more established MNOs and others in the process. We’ve already written about the growing IoT opportunity but it’s exciting to note that the market is not just growing but opening up – and that new entrants can grab a share.
Since IoT services are relatively new, smaller operators, including MVNOs, have a chance to compete, not based on their history but based on their knowledge and expertise in specific markets. They can shape highly specific propositions and, by being focused, can build credibility in key domains, using their expert credentials to overcome other obstacles. This is good news – while many leading MNOs are striving to build IoT portfolios, there must be room for innovation. And, because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to IoT, with services likely to have very different needs, an equally diverse and adaptable community of providers has the opportunity to flourish.
As a result, we fully agree with Analysys Mason’s prediction. But, what this also means that there is something else to consider. While the IoT MVNO may have specialist knowledge that makes it stand out and win business, they also have to deal with conventional operational tasks, such as billing and accounting, as well as other network processes that underpin mobility, such as roaming. What this emerging ecosystem needs to really take off is other specialist providers who can partner with the MVNO to take care of the back-end and network processes they need to deliver their innovative service.
That’s where we come in. The Partitionware approach is one of partnership. You take care of the innovative idea and provide the deep domain expertise that’s needed to reassure your customers, while we take care of the back-end processes and network connectivity you need. We provide the system capabilities and network resources you need, while you provide the expertise to engage and win business from customers seeking your innovative IoT services.
So, if you want to make 2018 the year of the IoT MVNO, there’s no time to lose. Simply get in touch and find out how we can help you deliver a carrier-grade service, backed by proven infrastructure and assets.
