Resolving ten MVNO issues with EPS architecture, VoLTE and advanced policy server

The numbers of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) are growing globally, but so do their operational and business issues. This paper identifies these issues and looks for remedies via the new 4G architecture and interfaces. The paper examines the ‘Full’ MVNO model as a ‘Home’ network in a pseudo roaming scenario (National Roaming), allowing MVNO to connect to multiple MNOs through the discovery and selection process, and to benefit from the access agnostic nature of EPS (Enhanced Packet System). Greater MVNO independence can resolve many of the MVNO's underlying issues, e.g. launching services and variable charging that are enabled by IMS Voice and non-Voice. Other persisting issues are solved by the MVNO defining user centric policies that are conveyed to the MNO transport network through new interfaces for the Policy & Charging Rules Function (PCRF). Particular issues can be resolved by integrating the User Data Repository (UDR) with policies and charging rules. MVNO also need to support the value chain via ‘Sponsored Data’ from service/content providers and receive Traffic Detection Function (TDF) reports on user context and behaviour. This paper argues that these features strengthen the Full MVNO position in the layered business model in EPS, and that the identified issues are substantially alleviated.