TL;DR / At-a-Glance Summary
The CPaaS Cost Trap
High-volume AI and UCaaS platforms face linear per-minute and per-message costs with CPaaS, making scaling expensive and limiting profitability.
Why Become an MVNO
Owning wholesale network access reduces costs, provides routing and identity control, and transforms connectivity from a variable expense into a strategic asset.
Types of MVNO Models
Light MVNOs use MVNE support for partial control, while full MVNOs own the core network, enabling advanced features like private APNs, eSIM provisioning, and silent authentication.
Benefits for AI & UCaaS
MVNO integration allows always-on AI agents, fixed-mobile convergence, improved security, and deeper customer engagement through branded mobile services.
Spenza Simplifies MVNO Launch
Spenza handles regulatory compliance, multi-carrier billing, eSIM management, and infrastructure, enabling companies to launch an MVNO quickly and efficiently.
Become Your Own MVNO: A Cost-Efficient Alternative to Virtual Number Services
If you’re running an AI voice agent platform, a unified communications (UCaaS) service, or any business that depends on high-volume voice and messaging, you’ve likely encountered a troubling reality: your telephony costs are growing faster than your revenue. Every customer conversation, every SMS verification, and every minute of call time translates directly into a line item on your CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) invoice.
For early-stage companies, services like Twilio, Vonage, and Bandwidth are invaluable, they abstract away telecom complexity and let you focus on building your product. But as you scale from thousands to millions of interactions, something breaks. The per-minute, per-message pricing model that once seemed reasonable becomes a strategic liability. You’re paying retail rates with aggregator markups, and there’s no path to better unit economics without fundamentally changing your approach.
The solution? Become your own MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). By transitioning from a consumer of retail API services to an operator of wholesale network infrastructure, you can unlock non-linear profitability and transform connectivity from a variable cost center into a competitive advantage.
In this post, we will break down:
- Why virtual number services and CPaaS are becoming a tax on AI and UCaaS growth
- What it actually means to become your own MVNO
- The economic, technical, and product advantages of shifting to an MVNO model
- How Spenza’s Telecom-as-a-Service platform reduces the complexity of this transition for non-telco companies
- A practical roadmap to evaluate whether “Becoming Your Own MVNO” is right for you
Throughout, we’ll focus on decision-makers in AI, UCaaS, and communication-heavy SaaS products.
Why Virtual Number Services Are Breaking for AI and UCaaS in 2025
Virtual number and CPaaS platforms were perfect when products were small. You could launch quickly, buy numbers instantly, and avoid dealing with telecom complexity.
But for modern AI voice agents and UCaaS platforms, that same model now creates cost, trust, and performance limits that block growth.
1. Linear CPaaS Costs Don’t Match Non-Linear AI Growth
CPaaS pricing is simple:
You pay a markup on every call, every minute, and every SMS.
Typical U.S. rates:
- ~$0.014 per voice minute
- ~$0.0083 per SMS
Your traffic flows through three layers:
- MNO → charges the termination fee
- Aggregator → adds a margin
- CPaaS provider → adds another margin
This means you’re paying everyone else’s markup.
At a small scale, it’s manageable. But when you run:
- thousands of concurrent AI agents
- millions of minutes per month
- high-volume notifications and verifications
the telephony bill becomes bigger than the AI inference bill; even as LLM costs keep dropping.
This is the moment companies start looking at becoming their own MVNO.
2. Virtual Numbers Create Trust and Deliverability Issues
Virtual numbers are convenient, but they come with user-experience risks:
- Lower answer rates (many look like spam or robocalls)
- Recycled or shared numbers that cause caller ID conflicts
- OTP/KYC blocks from banks and government services
For AI and UCaaS platforms selling into finance, healthcare, government, or enterprise, this becomes a deal blocker.
Owning your numbering and identity through an MVNO avoids these issues completely.
3. You Don’t Control the Network and That Limits Your Product
With CPaaS and virtual numbers, you’re blind to what’s happening on the carrier side:
- No visibility into network events or quality
- No control over routing or prioritization
- No ability to optimize latency or reliability
- Forced to wait for CPaaS providers to release features
As AI products get more real-time and context-aware, lack of network control becomes a strategic limitation, not just a technical one.
So what’s the solution when CPaaS becomes too expensive, virtual numbers limit trust, and network control becomes essential?
You shift from being a retail buyer of telecom to becoming an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator).
What it really means to “Become Your Own MVNO”
The term Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) sounds like “telecom only,” but that is changing fast. Fintech’s like Klarna are already launching their own unlimited mobile plans as MVNOs to deepen customer engagement and diversify revenue.
For AI and UCaaS, becoming your own MVNO simply means this: You stop buying connectivity as a retail API product and start operating on wholesale mobile infrastructure, with your own branded SIM or eSIM, pricing, and policies.
Cost Comparison Table : CPaaS vs Light MVNO vs Full MVNO
| Dimension | CPaaS / Virtual Numbers (API Consumer) | Light MVNO (Service Provider) | Full MVNO (Network Operator) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Model | High, linear per message/minute | Moderate, wholesale SIM & bundle rates | Non-linear; capacity + interconnect based |
| Setup Cost | Very low, near zero CAPEX | Medium – integration + configuration | Historically high; now reduced via MVNE/TaaS |
| Time to Market | Days | Weeks to months | Traditionally 6–12 months; now faster with TaaS |
| Network Control | API-only; no visibility | Control over billing, pricing, SIM lifecycle | Full routing, QoS, policy, and core control |
| Identity | Shared virtual numbers | Own brand + SIM ownership | Own IMSI/MNC; full network identity |
| Security | Standard SMS/auth flows | Enhanced controls | Maximum, incl. private APNs & silent auth |
| Best For | Startups, small volume messaging | Fintech, loyalty, branded bundles | AI platforms, UCaaS, IoT at scale |
As an AI or UCaaS provider, you do not need to jump straight to “build your own core network.” You can use MVNE or Telecom as a Service platforms (TaaS) like Spenza to get MVNO economics and capabilities without becoming a telco in the traditional sense.
Strategic Benefits of Becoming an MVNO—Beyond Cost Savings
Becoming your own MVNO isn’t just about reducing expenses. It’s about unlocking capabilities impossible with third-party APIs.
1. Fixed-Mobile Convergence for UCaaS
For unified communications providers, the MVNO model realizes the vision of true fixed-mobile convergence:
- Single Identity: The SIM-enabled mobile number is the Teams/Zoom number—no more juggling desk phones and mobile devices
- Native Dialer Integration: Calls route over the native mobile dialer using VoLTE, guaranteeing carrier-grade quality without relying on fragile data connections or background app processes
- Enterprise Control: All mobile calls—even from personal devices—route through your compliance recording and logging systems, critical for regulated industries
2. Silent Network Authentication (SNA)
Security is paramount for digital platforms, yet SMS-based multi-factor authentication is increasingly vulnerable to SIM swapping and SS7 intercepts.
As an MVNO, you have direct access to the cryptographic capabilities of the SIM card. You can verify a user’s identity implicitly by checking the session token against the carrier network—a process invisible to users and impossible to phish. For fintech platforms or any service handling sensitive transactions, this capability alone can justify the MVNO transition.
3. AI Agent Optimization
The “always-on” AI requires a data-first architecture. By issuing data-only eSIMs to users or provisioning them on IoT devices, you ensure a dedicated, managed pipe for your traffic:
- Latency Optimization: Route traffic directly from the user’s device to your AI inference cloud via a private Access Point Name (APN), bypassing the public internet and reducing jitter
- Contextual Awareness: Access network-level signaling data to know where users are, what network conditions exist, and optimize experiences before interactions begin
- Quality of Service: Control QoS down to the packet level, ensuring conversational AI experiences that feel genuinely human
4. Customer Lock-in and Retention
A branded mobile service creates powerful switching costs. When your connectivity is embedded in a user’s device via eSIM, you’re no longer just a software application—you’re part of their infrastructure. This dramatically increases customer lifetime value and reduces churn.
CPaaS, Virtual Numbers, or Your Own MVNO: Which Is Right for You?
To make the tradeoff tangible, here is a high-level comparison.
| Category | Virtual numbers and CPaaS | Become your own MVNO |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Retail, per minute and per message, multiple margin layers | Wholesale data and voice, capacity based, capture intermediate margins |
| Brand and identity | Shared or generic numbers, lower trust and recognition | Your own mobile brand, SIM or eSIM, consistent caller ID tied to your product |
| Product control | Limited to what CPaaS exposes via APIs | Control over plans, bundles, roaming, QoS, and routing policies |
| Data and context | Application level logs only | Network level telemetry, roaming info, quality metrics to feed AI agents |
| Compliance | Relies on third party capabilities and data retention | Native compliance recording, lawful intercept alignment, “compliance as a feature” for customers |
| Innovation speed | Roadmap is constrained by CPaaS provider priorities | You can build and ship network-aware features on your own schedule |
| Revenue model | Connectivity is a cost line item | Connectivity becomes a new recurring revenue stream bundled into your plans |
The core idea: virtual numbers treat connectivity as a utility cost, MVNO treats it as product and margin.
How MVNE Platforms Helps to Launch MVNO Faster
Historically, becoming a Full MVNO required millions in CAPEX and months of regulatory navigation. The emergence of Mobile Virtual Network Enablers (MVNEs) and Telecom-as-a-Service (TaaS) platforms has democratized this access.
The Role of MVNEs
MVNEs like Spenza provide physical and virtual infrastructure as a managed service:
- Pre-integrated core network elements
- Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operations Support Systems (OSS)
- Aggregated volume across multiple MVNOs for better MNO rates
- Carrier integration handled for you
Telecom-as-a-Service: MVNO-in-a-Box
Next-generation enablers like Spenza offer “MVNO-in-a-box” via modern REST APIs:
- Launch in days, not months: API-first platforms treat telecom like any other integration
- Carrier of Record: The TaaS provider handles liability, tax remittance, and regulatory compliance
- eSIM Provisioning: In-app activation with no physical logistics
- Zero upfront infrastructure: Cloud-hosted, multi-tenant architecture
Spenza’s approach specifically combines three critical functions into one platform:
- Telecom Expense Management (TEM) for cost visibility
- Connectivity Marketplace for flexible procurement
- Full MVNO Enablement for branded services
This integrated model lets you start as a reseller and upgrade to a full MVNO while retaining customers—a clear growth path without platform migration.
Who Should Seriously Consider Becoming Their Own MVNO
Not every SaaS product needs to become an MVNO. But if you fall into one of these categories, you should at least run the numbers:
- AI contact centers and conversational AI platforms: platforms where voice is the primary interface and session length is measured in minutes, not seconds.
- UCaaS providers: providers that want true fixed-mobile convergence and deeper differentiation beyond “another meeting app.”
- AI copilots embedded in devices: devices like wearables, handheld scanners, or point-of-sale terminals, where guaranteed connectivity and control over roaming and QoS are important.
- Fintechs and digital banks: businesses looking for stronger identity verification, SNA-based security, and new revenue streams, similar to Klarna’s recent MVNO launch.
- High-volume verification providers: businesses where SMS OTP costs and abuse rates are eating into margins.
- Companies seeking brand loyalty and engagement: businesses aiming to increase customer retention and brand touchpoints may use an MVNO as a tool to deepen engagement through exclusive plans, perks, or bundled services.
- Companies that want greater control over customer data: businesses that value direct access to mobile usage data for analytics, personalized services, or strategic decision-making may consider running their own MVNO.
From a market perspective, the MVNO opportunity is not niche. Recent research puts the global MVNO market around 90+ billion USD in 2024 with projections to reach between 150–170 billion USD by 2032 at roughly 7–8% CAGR.
At the same time, the eSIM market is exploding, with forecasts suggesting compatible smartphones will more than double by 2030 and travel eSIM usage growing 4× this decade.
This is a structural shift in how connectivity is bought and sold. AI and UCaaS providers that own a piece of that stack will have an advantage over those that do not.
Real-World Success: Who Has Already Become an MVNO
Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile
Microsoft’s Operator Connect Mobile allows SIM-enabled mobile numbers to serve as primary Teams identities. While it currently partners with external operators, the architecture positions Microsoft to eventually function as a virtual operator with unified identity management.
Webex Go
Cisco’s solution lets users add a Webex business line via eSIM, effectively turning the app into a “Light MVNO.” The business line uses the cellular voice network for reliability while keeping calls separate from personal use, solving BYOD challenges.
Klarna’s Mobile Service
The fintech giant launched mobile plans embedded in its payments app. By leveraging its existing user base, it has reduced customer acquisition costs to nearly zero, providing a significant advantage over traditional telcos that spend hundreds per subscriber.
Revolut’s Travel eSIM
The digital bank integrated eSIM data plans for travelers directly into its app, capturing travel spend and offering hassle-free roaming data, reinforcing its value as a global financial companion.
Quick Roadmap to Becoming Your Own MVNO
Take control of your connectivity and unlock new revenue streams by following these five steps
Step 1: Audit and Analyze
Review your current CPaaS usage, virtual number economics, and operational costs to understand your starting point
Step 2: Define Your MVNO Strategy
Decide what type of MVNO you want to be, who your target customers are, and what services you will offer
Step 3: Choose Your Enablement Path and Partner
Select the right MVNO model (full, light, or branded reseller) and partner with Spenza, the MVNE that aligns with your goals. Learn more about the types of MVNOs here.
Step 4: Launch a Focused Pilot
Test your offering with a controlled audience, monitor performance, and gather feedback to refine your product
Step 5: Scale and Iterate
Expand your coverage, optimize operations, and continuously improve your offering based on insights and market response
How Spenza Makes “Become Your Own MVNO” Achievable
Spenza is an operator-neutral connectivity enablement platform offering procure-to-pay SaaS with an integrated marketplace of operator mobile plans. Think of it as “Stripe + Shopify for connectivity.” Spenza enables both B2B and B2C businesses to launch branded mobile services in days, not months—while ensuring full regulatory compliance and requiring no infrastructure investment.
Spenza Core Features for Launching Your MVNO
- Platform & Infrastructure: Launch an MVNO quickly using a no-code, API-first, fully hosted, white-label platform.
- Connectivity & Network Management: Access and manage multiple global carriers with flexible plans, eSIM/SIM provisioning, and real-time network switching.
- Operations & Automation: Automate connectivity operations at scale with bulk actions, provisioning, alerts, and a unified dashboard.
- Billing & Financial Management: Enjoy full billing automation, subscription management, multi-currency support, cost analytics, and invoice auditing.
- Compliance & Regulatory: Spenza handles regulatory, tax, and compliance responsibilities so you don’t have to.
- Customer Experience & Support: Provide branded apps, self-service portals, and integrated support tools for a seamless customer experience.
- Analytics & Reporting: Real-time dashboards and AI-powered insights optimize usage, costs, and network performance.
- Developer & Integration Tools: Modern APIs, webhooks, SDKs, and an API sandbox make integrations fast and developer-friendly.
- Go-to-Market Support: Leverage pre-negotiated rates, global support, logistics, and marketing tools to accelerate your launch.
Case Study: IMZ Branded MVNO Launch with Spenza
Overview:
IMZ, an established brand with a large customer base, sought to launch its own branded wireless service (MVNO) to create new revenue streams and deepen customer loyalty. They turned to Spenza for a quick and cost-effective way to enter the telecom market.
Challenge:
IMZ needed a seamless, fast solution to launch an MVNO without the complexity of lengthy carrier negotiations or high upfront infrastructure costs. They aimed to offer a branded mobile service while focusing on scalability and operational efficiency.
Solution:
IMZ leveraged Spenza’s Telecom-as-a-Service platform to quickly launch a private-label MVNO. Key features provided by Spenza included:
- Custom Prepaid Billing & Smart Plan Switching: Tailored billing solutions to fit IMZ’s customer base, with automated plan switching for greater flexibility.
- Shopify-Integrated White-Label Portal: A seamless portal for resellers and customers that integrated easily with IMZ’s existing e-commerce platform.
- Reseller Onboarding & Finance Automation: Spenza streamlined reseller management and financial workflows, reducing manual overhead.
Results:
- Launch Speed: The MVNO was up and running in weeks, not months.
- Efficient Reseller Onboarding: 25 resellers were onboarded quickly, accelerating market reach.
- Operational Efficiency: Achieved a 30% reduction in manual finance tasks and 20% fewer support tickets, leading to a smoother customer experience.
Impact:
The launch of IMZ’s branded MVNO significantly enhanced customer engagement and loyalty while opening new revenue channels. With Spenza’s easy-to-integrate platform, IMZ bypassed traditional telecom barriers and was able to deliver a high-quality mobile service to their audience without the complexities typically associated with telecom operations.
Conclusion: Own the Network, Unlock Non-Linear Growth
The question for AI and UCaaS providers is no longer if you should integrate telecom, but how far you must go to secure sustainable margins. CPaaS platforms were essential for early growth, but at scale, linear per-minute and per-message costs cap profitability and limit innovation.
Becoming your own MVNO transforms connectivity from a variable cost into a strategic advantage. By leveraging wholesale network access, controlling routing, and managing identity via eSIM, you achieve non-linear profitability while enabling differentiated products like always-on AI agents, fixed-mobile convergence, and Silent Network Authentication.
Modern MVNE and Telecom-as-a-Service platforms, such as Spenza, lower the barriers to entry, handling regulatory compliance, multi-carrier billing, and infrastructure management. This makes launching your own MVNO faster, safer, and more cost-effective than ever.
High-volume digital platforms that embrace the MVNO model gain control over costs, quality, and customer experience, turning a commoditized service into a competitive advantage. The next generation of AI-driven and UCaaS companies will not just consume networks, they will own them, setting the stage for scalable growth, new revenue streams, and a differentiated market position.
By choosing to become your own MVNO, your platform can reduce costs, increase control, and future-proof operations in an increasingly connected world.
FAQs
Ready to become your own MVNO? Explore Spenza’s MVNO Calculator to estimate your potential savings, or schedule a consultation to discuss your specific use case.
