2026 AGENDA
Pre-Event Workshop Day - April 27 2026
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13.00-14.00
Registration & coffee
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14.00-15.30
WORKSHOP 1: B2B MVNO Strategy 101 – Launching and scaling your B2B MVNO in the USA
This MVNO workshop provides a focused, high-level overview of the B2B MVNO landscape in the USA and the strategic choices required to launch and scale a successful MVNO in the B2B market.
Participants will gain clarity on specific B2B market opportunities, the types of MVNO models and value creation across the mobile wholesale value chain.
During this 90-minute workshop, we will cover the following points in detail:
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Wholesale pricing schemes
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Key success factors that drive sustainable performance for B2B MVNOs
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Major business decisions that every B2B MVNO must make – from target segments and product design to operating model and partnership strategy
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The role of MVNEs – how can MVNOs evaluate potential partners?
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A practical view of B2B MVNO business case fundamentals
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An example of an MVNO business case to illustrate how brand, value, economics and wholesale costs combine to form a viable MVNO proposition
By attending this workshop, participants will gain a clear understanding of the strategic levers, partnership models and financial drivers that underpin a compelling B2B MVNO strategy specific to the USA market.
Workshop leader: Alex Besen, CEO, The Besen Group
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15.30-17.00
WORKSHOP 2: Do you have what it takes? How to be bold, different and successful in a crowded B2C MVNO marketplace
Four out of five MVNOs fail within a year of launching. In the USA alone, a market where regulation and wholesale agreements make it relatively easy to launch an MVNO, approximately 100 MVNOs have already failed. How can you ensure that your MVNO stays
away from this category? How do you manage your MVNO to not only survive, but thrive?
Attend this workshop, focused on B2C MVNOs, to find your own answers the following questions:
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Focusing on the US customer mindset, the competitive market and asking yourself the hard questions: Why would new customers sign up with you? Why would they stick with you in the long-term?
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How do you currently communicate your story to your customers? What are the ways to improve this?
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Examples of sales and marketing strategies from other industries and other regions to consider implementing
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Creating an innovative and unique pricing strategy - Brainstorming and ideas
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How can you really get an edge over your competition?
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Examples of global MVNOs: Success stories and failures - What separates success from failure?
By the end of this workshop, attendees will learn to critically examine their own sales and marketing strategies to set themselves up for success. Examples will be used from previous B2B success stories and failure, as well as other sectors and other regions. Attendees will also build a toolset to offer an attractive and unique sales and marketing strategy for the USA market, demonstrating why customers should choose, and stick with, them.
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Workshop leader: Wesley Hellyar, Chief Executive Officer, Moth Innovate
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17.00-18.30
WORKSHOP 3: Device sourcing, distribution and management – Sourcing and pricing
phones, wearables and beyond
On the long list of priorities of an MVNO, devices often fall behind. But the question remains: Where can MVNOs source their devices from? Who should you partner with for distribution, depending on your needs? This workshop will offer insights into the different options on the USA for purchasing new phones directly from manufacturers, through dealers or using
trade-in and refurbishment programs, distribution strategies and device management.
This 90-minute workshop will focus on the following topics and questions:
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Overview of supplier options and distribution for smartphones in the USA
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Analysis into customer segments and their device purchasing habits
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Overview of device management, tools and strategies
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Wearables, accessories and the growing IoT device landscape: How can MVNOs extend their offer to customers?
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Updates of the trade-in marketplaces for mobile phones
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Sourcing refurbished phones and promoting circular economy through your brand
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Understanding the device lifecycle and how better planning can contribute to a more sustainable business model for the MVNO
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Communicating your device sourcing, strategy and management to your customers
Upon completing this workshop, attendees will walk away with a clearer idea about where and how they can source, manage and distribute their devices, as well as how to communicate their device management strategy and approach to their customers.​
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18.30 Welcome Drinks
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End of Pre-Event Workshop Day
Day 1 - April 28 2026
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7:30-8.30
Welcome coffee​
8.30-8.45
MVNO Nation opening
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​MVNO USA market updates, launches and value creation
Chair: Jon Horovitz, Founder and President, Atrium Unlimited Consulting
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8.45-9.00
Opening Keynote: Our story of launching a brand new MVNO in the USA
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9.00-9.15
Market updates and analysis: What it takes to survive and thrive as an American MVNO
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9.15-9:30
Keynote: Resilience and connectivity – What do they have in common?
Speaker: Helix Wireless
9:30-10:10
Keynote debate: Getting it right – How to balance the MVNO, MNO, MVNA/MVNE relationship
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Outlining the key ingredients to building lasting partnerships and synergies in the MVNO, MNO and MVNA/MVNE relationship
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How can MVNOs get more from their MNO partner and beyond just connectivity?
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What are the ways for the MNO to pass on their own relationships and experiences to the MVNO in order to help them scale
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Specific considerations for long-term partnerships in the USA market: What works and what doesn’t
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How can MVNOs with limited buying power build a strong ecosystem of suppliers to compete with the bigger companies?
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Moderator: Jon Horovitz, Founder and President, Atrium Unlimited Consulting
Speaker: Darius Allen, Co-Founder & President, Roccstar Wireless
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​​​10.10-10.25
Keynote case study: How to win on value and build lifelong loyalty
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Considering the value that MVNOs bring to the telecoms business and the customers
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Examples of competing beyond the price, how it can be done and why it matters
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Stories of successes and failures, with lessons learnt
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How can an MVNO try to build lifelong loyalty with their customers?
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​Speaker: Sean Tanner, Vice President of Product & Fulfilment, Patriot Mobile
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​10.25-10.40
Keynote: Scaling your MVNO in the USA with the right tools
Speaker: Plintron
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10.40-11.40
Coffee break
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Getting closer to your customer: Personalisation, acquisition and retention
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11.40-12.20
Panel debate: Customer experience in the MVNO-way – Bringing together the best of technology and the human touch
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Considerations for how MVNOs should approach customer experience at every stage of their business
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How to plan for the customer problems ahead of time to secure customer retention
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Balancing the best of today’s customer experience technologies and the human touch
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Examples of extracting greater value from the existing customer base through omnichannel customer experience
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What will be the next phase of customer experience differentiation specific to MVNOs in the USA?
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Moderator: Casey Zavaleta, Partner, Performance Culture Consulting
Speakers:
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Troy Cross, Vice President of Sales, Ozmo
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Aaron Ogden, Head of Account Management & RevOps, Helix Wireless
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12.20-12.35
International calling as a disruptor: A tool to acquire and retain your customers
Speaker: Peter Patullo, CEO, NetworkI
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12.35-13.15
Panel debate: Customer acquisition v retention – What is the spectrum of strategies? Where’s the key to sustained success
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MVNO customer acquisition strategies and tools - How do you test it before going to market?
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Reviewing and updating your customer acquisition strategy over time
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Proactive and reactive customer retention strategies, with examples of real-life successes and failure in the USA
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How should MVNOs plan for customer acquisition in comparison to retention, at different stages of their business?
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Advice on how to keep customers for longer and expand their lifetime value
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Moderator: Casey Zavaleta, Partner, Performance Culture Consulting
Speakers: Brian Latchford, Founder & CEO, Atomic Mobile
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13.15-13.30
AI-powered MNOs and MVNOs: How can personalisation meet purpose?
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13.30-14.45
Networking lunch
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AFTERNOON TRACKS
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14.45 - 15:00
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15.00-15.40
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16.15-16.30
Networking Break
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16.30-17.00
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​​​​17.00-17.15
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17.15-17.30
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17:30-18:00
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Track 1: MVNO Nation USA
Fresh opportunities on the horizon for MVNOs in the USA
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Chair: Casey Zavaleta, Partner, Performance Culture Consulting
Track 2: MVNO NATION LATAM
Insights and innovation in the Latin American MVNO market
Panel Debate: “Born in the USA” B2B market – Revealing untapped opportunities and secrets to success
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Considering the crowded B2C market, where are the opportunities in the B2B market in the USA right now?
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Overview of the current barriers that may prevent MVNOs from entering the B2B market, and how to work around these
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Updates on private 5G networks and the opportunity for MVNOs
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Examples of successful B2B MVNO launches and growth globally - Lessons to learn
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Moderator: Alex Besen, CEO, The Besen Group
Keynote: From banking to telecoms – Building an MVNO in Latin America
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Our experience of launching an MVNO as a company that was completely new to telecoms, in a market that stands out as one of the strongest hubs for full-MVNO development
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How we went about extending our existing offer to customers
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Overview of our approach to working with the operator and the regulator
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Examples of challenges and opportunities we came across, and dealing with them
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The plans for the next 12 months and beyond
Panel Debate: “Born in the USA” B2B market – Revealing untapped opportunities and secrets to success
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Considering the crowded B2C market, where are the opportunities in the B2B market in the USA right now?
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Overview of the current barriers that may prevent MVNOs from entering the B2B market, and how to work around these
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Updates on private 5G networks and the opportunity for MVNOs
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Examples of successful B2B MVNO launches and growth globally - Lessons to learn
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Moderator: Alex Besen, CEO, The Besen Group
15.00-15.20
Analysis: The good, the bad and the unexpected – Overview of the MVNO market in Latin America
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The key features and attractiveness of the Latin American MVNO market as a whole
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From light to full: What are the most successful and most common MVNO models particular to LATAM?
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Overview of regulatory landscapes and MNO partnerships in specific countries
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LATAM market conditions, consumer trends and latest success stories
15.40-15.55
How device insurance helps increase ARPU, reduce churn and keep your customers happy
15:40-16.15
Panel debate: How to fly high as an MVNO in Latin America
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Our experience of launching an MVNO as a company that was completely new to telecoms, in a market that stands out as one of the strongest hubs for full-MVNO development
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How we went about extending our existing offer to customers
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Overview of our approach to working with the operator and the regulator
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Examples of challenges and opportunities we came across, and dealing with them
The plans for the next 12 months and beyond
Panel: Future-proofing your MVNO – How can your business and customers benefit from the latest features of AI and cloud-native?
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Overview of how MVNOs have been implementing latest AI and cloud-native technologies in their business
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Examples of early AI adopters and the effect on their business - How does the customer benefit?
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What are the hot-off-the-press features of AI that MVNOs can embed in their operations, marketing and other areas?
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Examples of how MVNOs in the USA are making the most out of AI
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What will be the impact of AI and cloud on MVNOs in the long-term?
Tech insights: Big data, analytics and IoT in the Silicon Valley–style
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This session will feature several 5 minute presentations from innovative technology players and revolutionary tools in the AI, big data, blockchain, analytics and IoT space not used so far to a great extent in telecoms.
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3 x 5min presentations
Panel: Launching and scaling digital-first MVNOs in Latin America
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The uptake of digital-first and eSIM in Latin America
Why digital-first, cloud-native made sense in our particular market
Building the IoT ecosystem
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Speaker: Mariano de Osma, CEO, Guinea Mobile
Interview: What are the opportunities for MVNOs in the evolution of telecom networks?
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The evolution of 5G networks - How can MVNOs make the most of the telecoms network evolution and translate these benefits to their customers?
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What is the potential of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks for MVNOs?
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What’s coming up? Considering the latest possibilities in 5G and the rise of 6G in the future
Inspirational insights from international markets: What can Latin American MVNOs learn from MVNO success stories in similar markets?
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This session will feature several short presentations outlining go-to-market frameworks and partnership strategies for success from other similar markets in Africa and Asia. A “Top 10 tips for success” will be shared by each speaker, along with a brief introduction of their market.
Speakers:
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Wesley Hellyar, Chief Executive Officer, Moth Innovate
Panel: The rise of LEOs and their relevance to the MVNO ecosystem
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Overview of the satellite networks opportunity for extending connectivity across the urban and rural parts of the USA
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Updates, launches and partnerships in the LEO space
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Overview of satellite networks’ benefits to consumers
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How are MNOs partnering with satellite industry players and how can MVNOs join in?
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In the long-term, is the satellite industry a partner or a competitor to MVNOs?
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Potential opportunities for MVNO growth in direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity through satellite networks
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Moderator: Alex Besen, CEO, The Besen Group
Panel: Country-specific experiences of running MVNOs in Latin America – Benefits beyond business
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Hearing from different players in the MVNO ecosystem about their experiences and special features of the markets they operate in
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Considering “room for improvement” in specific Latin American countries for more MVNOs to launch and become successful
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How can Latin American MVNOs help bring economic, social and technological developments to the countries they operate in?
Moderator: Vivian Delgado-Johnson, Founder and President, Vivid Strategies Consulting
Niche is the new scale: Building the multi-brand MVNO Model
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Why Mass-Market MVNOs often struggle: Low ARPU, high churn, price wars and undifferentiated bundles — and why trying to “be big” often kills profitability
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The Multi-Brand strategy: Many niches, one core infrastructure: How building a single operational backbone (core, tech, compliance, support, distribution engine) allows you to launch and scale multiple focused brands — tourism, retail, IoT, youth, B2B — with capital efficiency
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Distribution as a growth weapon: Airports, retail chains, digital channels, embedded telecom and white-label partnerships — turning proximity to the customer into defensible scale
Speaker: Victor Rokkedal Dyrnes, CGO/Co-Founder, Guinea Mobile
15.55-16.05
Case study: Learnings from YNOW (Your Name, Our Wireless) over the past year
15.20-15.40
Joint case study: How two MVNOs collaborated on China Mobile’s entry into Mexico
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The strategic rationale behind China Mobile’s entry into the Mexican market
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How a co-branding model was designed to introduce the world’s largest telecom brand locally
The collaborative execution model between two MVNOs, Yu Movil and VADSA: Platform and integration, regulatory alignment, go-to-market strategy, end-to-end delivery
Key challenges, lessons learned and outcomes
How two MVNOs can successfully work together, combining complementary capabilities, to achieve faster time-to-market and stronger results than operating independently
Speakers:
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Eduardo Servin, CEIO, Yu Movil
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Natalia Saenz, CEO, VADSA
16.05-16.15
Tech showcase
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Networking Party sponsored by T-mobile
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End of Day 1
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Day 2 - April 29 2026
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8.00-8.50
Welcome coffee​
8.50-9.00
MVNO Nation opening
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​Alive and kicking: The MVNO ecosystem evolution in the USA
Chair: Casey Zavaleta, Partner, Performance Culture Consulting
09.00-09.15
Opening Keynote: How to survive and thrive over time as an MVNO in the USA
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09.15-09.30
Interview: The story continues – Evolving after the acquisition
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09.30-09.45
Product and innovation showcase
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​Speaker: Wolfgang Sixl, VP Strategy, Analytics & Client Solutions, MCE Systems
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09.55-10.25
Keynote debate: How to stand out from the crowd and stay successful as an American MVN
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Back to basics: Discussing the true value of an MVNO today
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In a consolidated and crowded B2C market, how can an MVNO really make a difference?
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Exploring the opportunities for MVNOs in the B2B, fintech and IoT space
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Beyond pricing; Understanding loyalty as a currency for customer acquisition and retention
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Learning from successes and failures in the market over the last 5 years - What does it take to stay in this game for the long run?
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Moderator: Casey Zavaleta, Partner, Performance Culture Consulting
Speakers:
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Koddi Dunn, Co-Founder & CEO, Love Mobile
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Andrew Song, CPO, US Mobile​
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10.25-10.40
From connectivity to experience: How the next generation of MVNOs will win
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Where is MVNO growth emerging?
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Why the next wave of MVNO growth will not come from price-led competition, but from brands, broadband providers, fiber operators and enterprises that already have a trusted voice with their customers
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The rise of the “Invisible MVNO,” where wireless becomes a secondary feature within a broader brand or service relationship
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What will success depend on in the next generation of MVNOs?
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The importance of lifecycle engagement, cross-sell and upsell, loyalty and long-term retention at scale
Speaker: Stuart Chowning, Chief Strategy Officer, Telgoo5
10.40-11.10
Coffee Break
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11.10-11.35
Short VAS Presentations: Adding New Services to Deliver the Most Innovative Service Offering
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Each participant has 8 minutes to present their Value Added Service (VAS) in:
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Fintech / Mobile money
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eCommerce
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Agentic AI for telcos
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Content
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Insurance
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Security
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11.35-11.45
The state of smart devices in the prepaid market: What you need to know
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Overview of opportunities in the prepaid market
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What types of prepaid phone models and brands are doing well in the US market?
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Differentiating factors and prices
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How is GenAI affecting smartphone sales?
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What's coming next and what consumers might want tomorrow
Speaker: Maurice Klaehne, Senior analyst, Counterpoint Research
11.45-12.20
Panel: From retail to digital and beyond: How your distribution strategy can make or break your MVNO
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Considering how MVNOs can differentiate their offer with their distribution strategy
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Overview of distribution options, from retail to digital, third-party, enterprise or community distribution
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How to make the most of your relationships with dealers to help with your marketing strategy
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Examples of distribution success and failures, and why they went one way or the other
Moderator: Jon Horovitz, Founder and President, Atrium Unlimited Consulting
Speakers:
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Adam Wolf, President, National Wireless Independent Dealer Association (NWIDA)
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Vivian Delgado-Johnson, Founder and President, Vivid Strategies Consulting
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International lessons and travel tech with eSIM and Travel SIMs
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12.20-12.50
Lessons from frontier markets: ARPU growth, revenue diversification, cash generation and sustainable growth​
Speaker: Gary Koeb, CEO, Axiomera Partners
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12.50-13.30
Panel debate: Destination America – What you need to consider when scaling your MVNO to the USA
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Understanding the differences of the American MVNO market
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Key points to consider before making a move from another region
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What are the administrative, taxation, legal and billing differences that you need to consider?
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How can technology help in making the move easier?
Moderator: Casey Zavaleta, Partner, Performance Culture Consulting
Speaker: Andy Aitken, co-founder, Honest Mobile​
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13.30-13.40
Case study: Reinventing MVNO Economics for Gen-Z & Travelers – Lessons from a new MVN
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Speaker: Avitosh Sawhney, Co-founder, CEO, noRoam
13.40-14.00
Snapshot presentations: eSIM and Travel SIM - New launches, tech and lessons learnt
Each participant has 5 minutes to present their eSIM or Travel SIM launch or technology, with key lessons learnt.
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14.00-14.45
Networking lunch
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Next steps for your MVNO success
14.45-15.25
Panel: Getting investors on your side – How to secure funding for your MVNO?
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Overview of the different types of investors and funding available to MVNOs
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What it means to be investor-ready and the necessary steps to take before approaching an investor
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A check list to go through before presenting your case to the investor
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How can MVNOs attract the best types of investors for each growth stage?
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Practical and honest advice from investors who funded MVNOs, as well as MVNOs who managed to secure funding
Moderator: Jeff Moore, Principal, Wave7 Research​
Speakers:
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Andy Aitken, co-founder, Honest Mobile
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Wade Dunn, COO, Love Mobile
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15.10-15.50
Workshop: Becoming investor-ready as an MVNO in the USA
In this hands-on workshop, you will be able to apply all that you’ve learnt over the last few days and practice how to:
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Introduce your company, team and business model in front of investors
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Develop and communicate the “Why us” answer: Why would a customer choose you? Why would an investor choose you?
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Build a long-term plan for your business
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15.50-16.00
Closing of MVNO Nation Americas 2026
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16.00-18.00
Pickleball tournament
End of Day 2
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