First alternative operator from Middle East to enter European mobile market
Middle Eastern company Viacloud has partnered with T-Mobile in a bid to be an ‘alternative operator’ in the UK, and to create a Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA).
The deal will allow Viacloud to launch MVNOs on T-Mobile’s network.
MVNAs, which allow smaller companies to launch a mobile business without a cost to the operator, are becoming an increasingly popular model, with 3 launching the first partnership last year, with 'aggregator' X-Mobility.
The model allows operators to add MVNOs to their remits while saving on marketing costs, which are absorbed by the MVNA.
Viacloud CEO Mutaz Otaibi said: ‘We are delighted to partner with an industry-leading organisation such as T-Mobile, and are looking forward to offering a unique and reliable range of mobile services to customers in the UK.
T-Mobile UK chief marketing officer Srini Gopalan said: ‘T-Mobile UK is delighted to be supporting Viacloud’s ambitious expansion plans for the UK market. This deal signals our intent to become a major player in the ethnic MVNO arena.
‘With international calling card minutes rapidly migrating to mobile, this is an excellent time to be forging new partnerships in this segment. Viacloud builds on our existing MVNO partnerships and underlines our ambitions to target new growth areas in the wholesale market.’
Viacloud was established in Bahrain in 2004 and since then has grown through acquisitions in the Middle East.
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