Messaging in Japan

MVNO is an add-on over a real telecom operator, another brand on the same physical network.

The main difference between MVNOs is that they do not have their own cell towers, base stations, or transmitters.

MVNO can be one of two types: either be an independent network with its own network code and have its own call routing, or it’s just a SIM card of a base operator with a different design.

Regardless of this, MVNOs can have their own autonomous network for sending short messages (SMS, RCS), or use the operator’s parent network.

Users often do not see the difference between MVNO and the brand of the main operator, they compare rates.

MVNO tariff plans are more profitable locally, but roaming tariffs are often more expensive than that of the parent operator.

MVNOs often change brands, in the column "Other names" table you will find the previous names of the virtual operator (if any).

In some cases, operators buy MVNO companies based on their network and merge the brand with their own. In this case, MVNO ceases to exist as a separate operator, and a new entry is added to the number of MCCMNC networks of the operator.