Top 10 Mobile Network Operators

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) provide wireless communications services to consumers, private companies and businesses around the world. In recent years, we have come to realise how vital the mobile industry is in keeping us connected, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many, if not most, of us were made to work remotely from home, making us reliant on mobile networks, mobile technology and connectivity. Therefore, we’re taking a look at 10 of the best mobile network operators globally, in no particular order. 

América Móvil - LATAM

Founded: 2000

CEO: Daniel Hajj Aboumrad

América Móvil, is Latin America's largest wireless company and, in terms of equity subscribers, the third largest wireless provider in the world. They are headquartered in Mexico City and have operations in 18 countries in the Americas, more than 265 million mobile customers and more than 31 million fixed lines. Their mission is to be ‘the agent of change in the region by offering new products and services that will contribute to positively transform our customers’ lives in the years to come’. 

MTN - EMEA

Founded: 1994

CEO: Ralph Mupita

MTN Group Limited entered the telecommunications scene at the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, in 1994. They offer an integrated suite of communications products and services, including traditional mobile voice and data, digital and mobile financial services as well as enterprise services. Through their extensive investment in advanced communication infrastructure over the past two decades, they now have a presence in 21 countries, connecting over 230 million people.

Airtel - APAC

Founded: 1995

CEO: Gopal Vittal

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa and over 403 million customers across their operations. Headquartered in New Delhi, the company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed home broadband, and more. 

Vodafone - UK 

Founded: 1982

CEO: Nick Read

Vodafone is a leading telecommunications company in Europe and Africa and their business operations are led by their purpose to connect for a better future. They develop a range of leading products and services to connect their customers and help build digital societies of the future. They connect more than 300m mobile customers and 27m fixed broadband customers across 21 markets and 48 partner markets and they also operate the largest 5G network in Europe. 

Orange - EMEA

Founded: 1993

CEO: Stéphane Richard

Orange is present in 26 countries and is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 42.3 billion euros in 2020 and a total customer base of 259 million customers worldwide as of the 31st December 2020. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. 

Deutsche Telekom - EMEA

Founded: 1995

CEO: Timotheus Höttges

Deutsche Telekom is one of the world's leading integrated telecommunications companies, with some 242 million mobile customers, 27 million fixed-network lines, and 22 million broadband lines. They are successfully shaping the digital world of tomorrow with innovative solutions for private and business customers by providing fixed-network/broadband, mobile communications, Internet, and IPTV products and services for consumers, and information and communication technology (ICT) solutions for business and corporate customers. 

China Mobile - APAC

Founded: 1997

CEO: Don Xin

As a leading telecommunications services provider in the mainland of China, China Mobile provides full communications services in all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and directly-administered municipalities throughout the mainland of China and Hong Kong, and boasts a world-class telecommunications operator with the world’s largest network and customer base. The company’s main business focus consists of mobile voice and data, wireline broadband and other information and communications services.

AT&T - USA

Founded: 1983

CEO: John Stankey

As the first truly modern media company, AT&T has been changing the way people live, work and play for more than 140 years. They are one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States of America, and their mission is to use their ‘network, labs, products, services, and people to create a world where everything works together seamlessly, and life is better as a result’. As a broadband connectivity provider, their high-speed fiber and wireless broadband networks connect people and businesses across the U.S.

Telefonica - EMEA

Founded: 1924

CEO: José María Álvarez-Pallete López

Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world today in terms of market capitalisation and number of customers. They have an innovative range of digital and data services and are well positioned to meet the needs of their customers and capture growth in new businesses. The company also provides fixed and mobile telephony, broadband, and subscription television, operating in Europe and the Americas.

Verizon - USA

Founded: 1983

CEO: Hans Vestberg

As one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products, Verizon is transforming the way people, businesses and things connect. The company offers voice, data and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. Verizon was also the first company in the world to launch commercial  5G for mobility, fixed wireless and mobile edge computing.