MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Market is segmented by Subscriber (Business and Consumer) and Country (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, and the Rest of Middle East & North Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD million) for all the above segments.

MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Market Size

MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Summary
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MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Market Analysis

The MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period.

  • The growing need for communication-based services with enhanced network infrastructure primarily drives the global market for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). Another vital reason for spurring growth is the rising popularity of digital services, including cloud-based solutions, machine-to-machine (M2M) transactions, mobile money, etc. In addition, the introduction of novel government initiatives designed to improve consumer access to network services and advance digital services across Europe is boosting demand for MVNOs.
  • Mobile virtual network operators are entering developing economies due to low competitors, increasing government initiatives, and the rising adoption rate of cloud services by business organizations. For instance, in November last year, The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) of Saudi Arabia, which is in charge of policing the country's information and communication technology industry, also granted Route Mobile a "CITC License." With this development, Route Mobile will be able to serve enterprise clients and the Small and Medium Business sector in Saudi Arabia with its whole CPaaS product suite, including A2P SMS.
  • Moreover, the number of telecommunications subscribers is increasing in Middle East &North African countries, which will drive the market. According to the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, Around 1.9 million fixed-line subscriptions were active in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as of June last year. In that month, there were approximately 3.7 million internet subscribers in the UAE.
  • Additionally, the development of LTE infrastructures, which offer services like VoLTE, ViLTE, and VoWiFi, is positively impacting the world market. Throughout the forecast period, several additional factors, such as the rising popularity of embedded SIM cards and significant investments in 5G MVNO technology to provide effective communication services with low latency, are anticipated to support the global mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market.
  • Further, to ensure that all citizens and nations can fully benefit from the Internet and its economic and social potential, actions must be taken to build Internet infrastructure in a country and develop a digital economy on top of this infrastructure. The COVID-19 situation has dramatically increased awareness of these issues and, in many cases, has hastened the development of solutions. Long-term, new infrastructure can be built, which in many ways meets current needs while adjusting to new Internet uses that emerged during the crisis. Governments can start preparing for this phase by creating or modifying a national broadband plan to expand the availability of Internet infrastructure and guarantee broader digital inclusion.

MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Industry Overview

The MENA mobile virtual network operator market is concentrated and dominated by a few major players like Virgin Mobile KSA, Lebara Mobile KSA, Swyp (Etisalat UAE), Majan Telecommunication LLC (Renna Mobile), and FRiENDi mobile. With a prominent market share, these major players focus on expanding their customer base across foreign countries. These companies leverage strategic collaborative initiatives to increase their market share and profitability. However, with technological advancements and product innovations, mid-size to smaller companies are increasing their market presence by securing new contracts and tapping new markets. In June 2022, the first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in Kuwait, Virgin Mobile Kuwait, was introduced by the Dubai-based Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa (VMMEA). Wafra International Investment Company, Impulse International for Telecommunications, and VMMEA contributed funding to the expansion into Kuwait.

MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Market Leaders

  1. Lebara Mobile KSA

  2. Virgin Mobile KSA

  3. Swyp (Etisalat UAE)

  4. Majan Telecommunication LLC (Renna Mobile)

  5. FRiENDi mobile

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market
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MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Market News

  • March 2022: The top supplier of mobile services and smart devices in emerging areas worldwide, Transsion, and Nabd, the Arabic News Aggregator, have partnered to make Nabd the Arabic News Provider for its smartphone devices in MENA. Millions of Arabic users in the region now have direct access to the most popular stories and recent news owing to the partnership between Nabd and Transsion. Leading mobile phone brands in emerging markets like TECNO, ite and Infinix are included in Transsion's brand portfolio.
  • March 2022: A long-term extension of the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Agreement between STC and Virgin Mobile Saudi Consortium LLC, an influential nation in Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa's footprint, was signed in Riyadh, KSA. As per the agreement, STC in KSA would continue to provide Virgin Mobile with Mobile Virtual Network services.

MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Porter Five Forces
    • 4.2.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.2.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
  • 4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
  • 4.4 Impact of COVID-19 on the MVNO Market

5. TECHNOLOGY SNAPSHOT

6. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 6.1 Market Drivers
    • 6.1.1 Government Strategy to Enhance Business Environment, and Foster the Adoption of International Best Practices Across Industry
    • 6.1.2 Significant Growth Opportunities for Mobile Subscriptions in Largely Populated Countries
    • 6.1.3 Deployment of 5G technology to drive the market
  • 6.2 Market Challenges
    • 6.2.1 Issue Regarding Infrastructure Destruction, Humanitarian Crises, and Security Concerns in Middle East Countries

7. KEY TELECOM INDUSTRY STATISTICS*

  • 7.1 Number of Mobile Cellular Subscriptions (in million)
  • 7.2 Number of Mobile Cellular Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
  • 7.3 Total Mobile Revenue and ARPU
  • 7.4 Market Share of Mobile Network Operators(MNOs)
  • 7.5 Market Share of Mobile Operating Systems
  • 7.6 Market Share of Mobile Device Vendors

8. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 8.1 By Subscriber
    • 8.1.1 Business
    • 8.1.2 Consumer
  • 8.2 By Country
    • 8.2.1 United Arab Emirates
    • 8.2.2 Saudi Arabia
    • 8.2.3 Oman
    • 8.2.4 Iran
    • 8.2.5 Rest of Middle East & North Africa

9. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 9.1 Vendor Market Share
  • 9.2 Mergers and Acquisitions
  • 9.3 Company Profiles
    • 9.3.1 Lebara Mobile KSA
    • 9.3.2 Virgin Mobile KSA
    • 9.3.3 Swyp (Etisalat UAE)
    • 9.3.4 Majan Telecommunication LLC (Renna Mobile)
    • 9.3.5 FRiENDi mobile
    • 9.3.6 Integrated Telecommunications Oman (TeO)
    • 9.3.7 Awasr-Oman
    • 9.3.8 Amin Smart Mobile Communications
    • 9.3.9 AzarTel
  • *List Not Exhaustive

10. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS

11. FUTURE OF THE MARKET

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MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Industry Segmentation

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) are wireless communications services provider that does not have the wireless network infrastructure over which it provides services to their customers. These companies sign a business agreement with a mobile network operator, buy bulk access to network services at wholesale rates, and set retail prices independently.

The MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market is segmented by Subscriber (Business and Consumer) and Country (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, and the Rest of Middle East & North Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD million) for all the above segments.

By Subscriber Business
Consumer
By Country United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Iran
Rest of Middle East & North Africa
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MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operators Market Research FAQs

What is the current MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market size?

The MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period (2025-2030)

Who are the key players in MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market?

Lebara Mobile KSA, Virgin Mobile KSA, Swyp (Etisalat UAE), Majan Telecommunication LLC (Renna Mobile) and FRiENDi mobile are the major companies operating in the MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market.

What years does this MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market cover?

The report covers the MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Industry Report

Statistics for the 2025 MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceā„¢ Industry Reports. MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

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MENA Mobile Virtual Network Operator Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)