Membership options

GCF membership accommodates different types of Operators and Communication Service Providers

 

Mobile Network Operator (MNO – Full Operator membership)

A company providing terrestrial mobile telecommunication services to the public owning or controlling all the elements necessary to provide services to the end-user, including, in particular radio spectrum license and wireless network infrastructure based on 3GPP standards.

MNOs seek to actively shape the industry by:

• being eligible for Board and Chair positions
• being able to introduce new initiatives, technologies, frequency bands and frequency band combinations in the GCF ecosystem
• having voting rights on the organization
   

Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)

Communication Service Provider that leases capacity from MNOs and offers its own branded services. MVNOs might have their own device approval process or rely on approval process from MNOs and device manufacturers.

Mission Critical Communications Operator (MCCO)

A company providing mission critical communications services who are utilising, but may not be owning or controlling, a 3GPP radio network and/or spectrum license and responsible for managing mission-critical communications networks, such as public safety and emergency services.

Associate Operator

Membership category recommended for Operator members whose parent company holds an Operator (MNO) full membership and want to join as part of GCF.

Additionally, any Communication Service Provider meeting the requirements for being an Operator  member (full membership) could apply to be an Associate Operator instead, with limited rights.

Associate Virtual Operator (Associate MVNO)

Membership category recommended for Virtual Operator members whose parent company hold an Virtual Operator (MVNO) or Operator (MNO) membership and want to join as part of GCF.

Additionally, any Communication Service Provider meeting the requirements for being an Operator  member (full membership) could apply to be an Associate Operator instead, with limited rights.

Other type of Communication Service Providers can also accommodate on one of the existing membership classes for Operators and Communication Service Providers. Specifically:

Non-Terrestrial Network Operator

A company who delivers connectivity for consumer and/or IoT, for broadband or narrowband services, through non-terrestrial infrastructure, such as satellites (LEO & GEO), High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), drones, or other airborne or space-based systems, over its own licensed spectrum, or using spectrum from a commercial partner.

Non-terrestrial Operators can join GCF as MNOs, MVNOs, Associate MNOs or Associate MVNOs.

IoT Network Operator

A company providing terrestrial, non-terrestrial or hybrid mobile telecommunication services to public or private customers for the purpose of connecting physical objects and exchanging data with other devices and systems.

IoT Network Operators may own or control all the elements necessary to provide communication services, including, in particular radio spectrum license and wireless network infrastructure based on 3GPP standards, but can also operate in different networks and countries via commercial agreements with other communication service providers.

Private Network Operators can join GCF as MNOs, MVNOs, Associate MNOs or Associate MVNOs.

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