Unlike consumer and retain customers, enterprises typically seek something more than the cheapest network provider. Of course, price does matter – but so too does the breadth of coverage, and features that can protect their data, among other things. Enterprises may need more control over their services, accounts, and devices, in ways that go far beyond consumer expectations.
In truth, the optimum suite of features you need may not be available at the lowest price. Similarly, the best price may not give you the coverage footprint you want. So, to choose the right mobile connectivity provider for your business, you need to focus on what you really want from your mobile connectivity services, so you can really identify which is best suited to help you meet your goals. In this brief, we’ll explore some of the things you need to look for to choose the right partner.
Large MNOs or service providers
The easiest choice may simply be one of the major Mobile Network Operators – MNOs – in your country. This is often the cheapest, too, largely because of the wholesale agreements they have secured with peers, and across other operators in the same group. However, this path can be limiting, for several reasons.
First, when roaming, most MNOs will steer your connections towards a specific partner. There won’t be any way by which you can change this, which means you may suffer from limited connectivity when roaming, if that partner doesn’t have the best coverage in the visited country. Second, if there’s a network missing that you need, you won’t get it. Last, it’s next to impossible to request specific functions – you get what you are given. If none of these concerns matter, then perhaps defaulting to a large MNO is good enough for you.
Global coverage service providers
An alternative to the traditional MNOs is a new class of service providers, that have developed advanced systems to manage connectivity provided by their IMSI sponsor – often, but not always, an MNO. The IMSI sponsor essentially allows the service provider to piggy-back on its roaming relationships, receiving the same connectivity options as a customer of the sponsor network. The service provider then seeks to add value by offering more effective account management and control through user portals exposed to its customers. This approach can be very effective, particularly for IoT / M2M applications.
However, with only a single IMSI sponsor, the same limitations in terms of network choice remain. Users are limited to only those networks available from the sponsor. In addition, the service provider may not be able to control aspects of the service, as it effectively depends on the capabilities of the sponsoring partner.
The mobile operator - without a network
You might think a mobile operator without a network is just a different term for an MVNO, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are a number of independent mobile operators that run their own network core, have their own IMSI ranges, support roaming and interconnection processes and more – and are recognised by the GSMA. They may also have multiple IMSI sponsor partners and bilateral agreements.
This kind of mobile operator will be able to offer the flexibility that comes from control of their network and service portfolio, combined with the ability to support roaming with a much broader set of IMSI partners – unlocking the seamless connectivity that enterprises for which the coverage footprint is paramount – as well as offering the ability to tailor services to specific needs
The Telecom26 approach
Telecom26 is a global mobile operator – without a terrestrial radio network – but with a fully redundant mobile network core, just like the major MNOs. We have extensive relationships, peering and bilateral agreements, as well as multiple IMSI sponsor partners – which means we can unlock the widest range of connectivity options for your business.
What’s more, we’ve also built our own SIM and service management platforms, which means we have the flexibility to change or add new services and features – and we’ll respond to your requests, unlike a traditional MNO. We’re also leading the way with eSIM, easing deployment options, and providing even more control to your teams.
The service provider for enterprises
So, there are many reasons why you might not want to procure services from a classical MNO – and a host of reasons why you might want to consider Telecom26. Not only do we offer highly competitive prices, we also provide the coverage and flexibility you need.
Our flexible bundles and packages allow your business to choose the right coverage for your needs, whether for individual users or for IoT applications – and we also support an extensive range of add-ons to tailor specific features of your connectivity. Plus, you can talk to us about entirely new things you need – we’re probably seen them before, and we’ll certainly give you our full attention. If you want to find out more about our services, explore our roadmap – or just find out how we can meet unique or unusual requirements, you should talk to our team.
