30 April 2017

MNOs can use the platform to enable subscribers to make and receive calls or texts from anywhere in the world at a flat rate.

x-Mobility is helping to drive a major East African network operator’s quest to extend its subscriber base beyond its national boundaries and increase revenues.

According to the UK-based MVNA (mobile virtual network aggregator), as growing numbers of ex-pats live and work abroad, the desire to have a ‘home’ number to catch up with friends and family increases.

At the same time, it says Africa’s MNOs face increasing competition, especially from OTT providers who can take a significant slice of their ARPUs.

x-Mobility claims its appVNO platform will solve both of these issues for its unnamed East African customer.

It says the platform will enable the cellco to offer an OTT app that gives subscribers a local mobile number – wherever they are – through a virtual SIM.

Local or international users can then make and receive calls or texts from anywhere in the world at a flat rate without roaming charges and without the need to replace their existing SIMs.

The company reckons the East African operator can now increase its ARPU by targeting new international subscribers with a truly global service.

It adds that for local subscribers, the OTT app offers transparent and predictable rates.

Furthermore, it’s claimed the customer can launch its own MVNO style services beyond its national boundaries in as little as 8-12 weeks. 

“The challenge of fighting falling ARPU is one many network operators face,” says Shanks Kulam, co-founder and CMO of x-Mobility.

“appVNO helps network operators overcome national boundaries without the loss of an existing SIM. This provides them with strategies for growing ARPU and increasing their subscriber base.”