Talk:List of mobile network operators

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[edit] "World's Largest" Table: Number Of Subscribers

I would just like to point out that the current table adopted from the previous format is a tad misleading or even inaccurate. Vodafone's 120.53 million subscribers actually does include that in companies in which the company holds a minority stake. It is the number of proportionate subscribers, a measure more widely used in the industry to measure true size. This is the reason why I drew up the table with a column each for total and proportionate subscribers. In fact, the entire table's entries needs to be verified to find out if the figure is for total subscribers or proportionate ones. What do the rest of you think? --Huaiwei 17:37, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

Go for it. (By the way, I was converting to tables last week but went away and didn't have time to finish up, which I'll now do later) --Joolz 18:02, 14 August 2005 (UTC)
For somebody who has not helped create the table with total and proportional users, I don't know what you mean. Could somebody please add a single sentence explaining what the different columns are supposed to mean and how they differ? Thanks ...
Think the global operator ranking needs to be updated.


[edit] Surely Proportionate Subscribers Should Be The Sort Order?

That seems more meaningful than total subscribers. --ciphergoth 16:29, 1 September 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Consistency Problems: Column "Technology"

I think the Technology columns really need a fix for consistency. For example: In the US networks, GPRS is counted as "Technology" but in the Irish column, it is not (even though all 3 GSM networks have it). I also have failed to notice any other list which counts GPRS as "Technology" but I may have missed them. So should it be or shouldn't it be? --RHeodt 18:29, 4 March 2006 (UTC)

Also, this column mixes up 2 categories:

  • GSM is a standard, a counterpart would be IS-95 (cdmaOne)
  • CDMA is a MA principle, a counterpart would be TDMA

I suggest removing the TDMA vs. CDMA info from this column, and just discuss standards. --68.6.44.232 06:09, 22 January 2007 (UTC)


[edit] MVNO's

Do MVNO's count as a Network Operator? Tracfone has been listed on the United States potion of the list for a long time and is currently listed as the 6th largest Operator, though it doesn't operate a network it just uses another companies network. If MVNO's are used in the ranking, then Virgin Mobile should also be placed in there. Does that mean Boost Mobile, which is owned by Sprint Nextel get to be in the ranking too with its 1.7 million subscribers? Or are those 1.7 million subscribers already counted under the Sprint Nextel subscribers?

Should there just be a separate column that lists the MVNO's and what network operator they use with their subscriber numbers listed? Or should MVNO's be places in the ranking?

This might be applicable then to the discussion below about moving the page to List of mobile phone companies.


[edit] New Table: Countries By Penetration Rate

Country according to penetration rate. As is, the penetration rate is listed for each country's entry if listed at all. The tables could be improved by listing this info in a separate table. --bjelleklang 10:18, 7 October 2005 (UTC)


[edit] Great Article

One of the best on wikipedia IMO. thx whoever wrote it... I wonder any reason the list cuts off w/o smaller operators? --The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.140.5.249 (talk) 03:44, 29 March 2007 (UTC).


[edit] Who Owns Whom?

The lists of mobile network operators is just marvelous. thanks for all who have contributed.

What I now look for is a list that point out which operator is owned by whom and what stakes they have. does such a relationship/network description already exist? --The preceding unsigned comment was added by 15.203.137.74 (talk) 11:38, 30 April 2007 (UTC).

A related issue: Are Verizon Wireless subscribers listed twice? Vodafone lists "USA" in the "Main Markets" column, but I don't think they operate directly in the US. Any US "subscribers" they have would be thru their ownership stake in VZW. Jason McHuff (talk) 14:30, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] LowCall and Simyo Netherlands

Under the list of Netherlands-based networks, LowCall is mentioned as a network owned by Telfort, but actually it is not. LowCall is owned by debitel, and is using the Telfort GSM network. Maybe someone can take a look at this? Also both LowCall and Simyo aren't physical networks, but are virtual networks. Simyo is using KPN's network.

[edit] Proportionate?

I'm a bit unsure about how to interpret the different numbers.. I just put in updated figures for Telenor (90.0 and 142.7M), but from their spreadsheet it looks like the 90M are "wholly owned" subscribers, and the remaining 52.7M are given as "Associated companies: No. of mobile subscriptions (100%)". So is 142.7M then the real "proportionate" figure, and the "total" unknown, or is it correct as it stands? - BsL (talk) 09:26, 13 February 2008 (UTC)