From MVNOs To BVNOs?

from the who-needs-a-network-any-more? dept

Apparently owning the actual network is for suckers these days. Not only do we have just about every company that has some sort of recognizable brand trying to become a mobile operator by partnering with a carrier and becoming a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), but it appears the concept is getting more traction in other areas as well. Last year, it suddenly became popular for random file sharing applications to start offering their own VoIP solutions under their own brand, but using someone else's network. I guess this is a VVNO. Om Malik is now pointing out that some UK sports teams are now looking to offer their own broadband service, again using someone else's network, and their own brand. Call it a BVNO, for broadband virtual network operator. Of course, maybe this isn't all that new. David Bowie started offering ISP service under his own name (including his very own online bank) many, many years ago... What's still not clear, though, is how many people really want to get service this way? Sure, there may be some big fans who want to get broadband service from their favorite team, but wouldn't they prefer (even more) to just have broadband service from a company that specializes in that and still getting the other content extras over that regular internet connection?
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  • identicon
    dorpus, 16 May 2005 @ 5:55am

    But then

    What is rational about sports teams in the first place? It supposedly symbolizes "rooting for your hometown", even though professional sports teams all hire people from elsewhere. Spectator sports are for lower class men who like to shout at TV sets in bars.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Boilerbob, 16 May 2005 @ 6:15am

      Re: But then

      Spectator sports are for lower class men who like to shout at TV sets in bars. That's not true. I like to shout at TV sets at home too.

      link to this | view in chronology ]


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