Can Self-Care Solutions Help Improve MVNO’s Customer Base?

MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators, operate between wireless network infrastructures and the end user of wireless communication. MVNOs work directly with mobile network operators to negotiate bulk pricing, and then set up packages for the end user. As a result, the customer gets advantageous pricing, and a reliable company to provide billing and support, and the MVNO does not have to invest in their own wireless network infrastructure. 

A major component of an MVNOs value proposition is customer support. When wireless communication fails, end users need someone to reach out to, and most MVNOs step gracefully into that role. Setting up a strong customer support network is vital. Without a satisfied customer base, MVNOs would not be able to sustain a business. A balance must be struck between an MVNOs investment into customer service programs, customer satisfaction, and incoming revenue. 

Self-care solutions provide a fantastic and low-cost way to keep customers informed, attended to, and satisfied. 

A self-care customer support solution is essentially a glossary of everything a customer may need to know about the product or service they have purchased. An evolution of FAQ sections, most self-care solutions feature topical articles, video tutorials, and diagrams that explain aspects of the product or service to the end user. Some companies call these Knowledge Hubs, others call them Customer Portals, but most call them self-care solutions. The idea is to empower the customer to find answers to their questions without having to reach out to a customer support agent. 

If you are interested in setting up a self-care solution for your MVNO, consider including articles, flyers, or videos on the following topics:

• An outline of the packages available to your customer base. Customers that may be considering working with you or changing their existing services with you should be able to do their own research on what is available without having to call an agent.

• What happens in the event of an outage. Everyone today relies on mobile communication, and so the prospect of an outage strikes fear in the hearts of many. Assure your clients that your MVNO has a plan for outages by providing details of that plan that customers can find on their own.

• An explanation of your relationship with the mobile network operator that supports your customer’s communication plans. This will help them to understand where exactly their services are coming from.

These are just a few examples of self-care assets you can create to appeal to and improve your customer base. 

When it comes time to create the material for your self-care solution, make sure to consider the following elements:

• Content relevance. Is what you are looking to develop directly relevant to your audience, or is it only interesting to you as an MVNO leader?

• Content clarity. Wireless communication is a confusing industry with a lot of acronyms and complicated explanations for things that most people take for granted (like placing a wireless call). Remember to keep all of your content simple, clear, and easy for a layman to understand.

• User Experience. Make your self-care solution clean and easy to navigate. Put your most relevant pieces up top, and make searching simple and intuitive.

Remember, the heavy lifting you do now to set up your self-care solution will save your customer support team time and effort later on.

Why Wireless MVNO Should Target Specific Markets?

A wireless MVNO is an important part of the telecom industry. It fills certain important gaps and ensures most people are able to avail MVNO mobile services. When it comes to an MVNO’s operation, the MVNO model and MVNO type matters a lot. For example, a full-scale MVNO has its very own infrastructure, but an MVNO reseller only focusses on branding and marketing. Regardless of the MVNO operators finances and resources, it would be wrong to expect them to compete with bigger MNOs.

The Difference Between Targeting Specific or General Customer Base

Targeting specific customer base is a better option for MVNOs. If they are going to target the general population, they would have to compete with the bigger players. The larger MNOs can offer a wide range of expansive services to the customers. So, financially rich customers prefer their services.

If an MVNO decides to compete with an MNO, then it would have to provide a wide catalogue of services. But due to its limited resources, it would be stretched to the limit and hardly be able to make any profit.

On the other hand, if the wireless MVNO targets a specific group of customers, it has the freedom to choose and stack different services as per the interests of a specific customer base. For example, if it targets gamers, it can focus on providing them better data connectivity. Rest of the services like calling and online streaming can take a backseat.

With such an approach, it can provide much better niche-oriented services and make a profit.

The Role of Telecom Billing Platform in MVNO Success

Telecom billing lays down a strong foundation for an MVNO’s day-to-day operations. As most MVNOs do not have extensive technical knowhow, they should use the services of a competent telecom support platform like Telgoo5. Some important features of such a platform are:

·       Accurate billing: When the billing is accurate and comes with revenue assurance, it becomes easier to win customers’ trust.

·       Credit limit enforcement: MVNO have limited resources, and they need to implement credit limits flawlessly. A billings system powered by a real-time Online Charging System (OCS) is a minimum requirement for eliminating disputes.

·       Quick monetization: The service plans conceptualized should readily transform into actionable business strategy. Therefore, the billing system should be able to provide quick monetization.

·       APIs: To enable new partnerships and integration with new databases, APIs are a minimum requirement.

At Telgoo5, we offer all the above-mentioned functionalities as part of our telecom billing platform that is specifically designed for modern-day MVNOs.

Does Your MVNO Give You the Best Service?

You have an MVNO that is working. So how do you know if you are getting the best service? There are several factors to consider that will help you know if you have the best service:

Does the MVNO support CDMA or GSM?

So you may be thinking of switching from your carrier to another. Cellular carriers use GSM or CDMA. The majority of MVNOs use both. Most phones work with CDMA or GSM. As an MVNO, you need to find a service that handles both. Take note some Motorola models, and most current generation Google-branded phones and iPhones have antennas that can use CDMA and GSM.

If you want your MVNO business to succeed, you need to connect with a carrier that supports GSM and CDMA. This way, you will ensure you do not lose clients who would prefer both systems.

Is a Mobile Hotspot Included in the Plan?

Longtime subscribers of MVNOs have some issues they would like addressed. For instance, they would like to know if a mobile hotspot is included. Users have tried to game MVNO systems with a third-party hotspot app. The problem is most, if not all, of these apps, do not work.

The truth is that a hotspot option, sometimes referred to as tethering, is not available with many MVNO service providers. Those that offer hotspots do not do so with lower-cost plans. This means you should check if the feature is included to ensure your subscribers get the service at competitive market rates.

Is Visual Voicemail Supported?

If your subscribers rely on or are accustomed to visual voicemail, make sure you can get it from your carrier. A good number of service providers do not offer the same. You may need to do due diligence to find out if they offer visual voicemail. Some subscribers find it tedious dialing into a voicemail archive to listen to one message after another.

Do Advanced Features Work?

Currently, most people have phones that support things like Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE (HD voice calls). They are great features for those who use them. However, most of the time they are network or phone-specific. Some MVNO service providers may not have them at all because advanced calling features are possible with specific phones.

Are You In Need of a Family Plan?

Most MVNOs cater to individuals. As such, a family plan may be a challenge to find. If you are getting into the MVNO business, you need to find a service that offers a family plan. Although most subscribers will not need a family plan, it is a good option to offer them. This way, you will have an extra edge over your competitors.

Bottom Line

These are five of the most crucial factors to consider when you are looking for an MVNO service provider. Not only will these increase the chances of success in your business, but they will also give an upper hand over your competitors. At Tegloo5 we have the best options to ensure the success of your MVNO business. Contact us today to get all of these features and more.