Virgin Mobile’s Latin American MVNO is preparing to launch in two of the region’s largest mobile markets.
A Mexican launch is set to take place in the coming months, with Brazil following as soon as it is greenlit by regulator Anatel.
VMLA (Virgin Mobile Latin America) has been available since 2012 in Chile and Colombia, having been established in 2010 in partnership with MVNO specialist Tribe Mobile, which has experience of running MVNOs in the MENA region. VMLA chairman Phil Wallace is also the founder and chairman of Tribe Mobile.
Mexico’s recent mobile market liberalisation, aimed at toppling America Movil’s dominance, was reportedly what attracted Virgin to the market. The operator will deliver services via second-placed Telefonica’s network, and is readying its sales, marketing and customer service infrastructure for launch.
Virgin Mobile has applied for an MVNO licence in Brazil but Anatel has not yet approved the application. Nonetheless, the operator has a wholesale agreement in place with Telefonica’s local unit Vivo, the Brazilian market leader.
Peter Macness, VMLA CEO, has suggested that the MVNO could also launch in Argentina and Peru.
