We've written about mobile virtual network operators for gay customers, for 16-24 year olds and for charity. Now, anyone can start their own MVNO using Sonopia, which launched earlier this week.
Sonopia works with Verizon to handle calls and data transfer, and lets anyone from a rock band to a church group set up their own mobile network brand. In return, the mini carrier will receive 3-8% of revenues generated by the customers they sign up. Brands create their own calling plans, get a co-branded website and are able to send their members messages about the latest news or special events.
Organizations that have already set up a Sonopia MVNO include the National Wildlife Fund, the American Medical Student Association and the Long Island Ducks (minor-league baseball). Someone also started a San Francisco Foodies group and the LonelyGirl15 Fan Club.
The obvious challenge when setting up your own MVNO is to create a strong enough hook to convince customers to switch from a major carrier to your service. Which could be exclusive content sent only to members/customers, like a pre-release of Fergie's latest song, or daily nuggets of wisdom from Dr. Phil. Non-profit networks are helped by the feel-good factor of knowing that profits are being donated to the cause of one's choice, as is the case with the National Wildlife Fund: "Help preserve our wildlife today... one call at a time."
Since Sonopia doesn’t charge set-up costs, there’s nothing stopping you from setting up your own mobile network today. It might not make you a telecom mogul, but it could provide a nice additional stream of income.
Website: www.sonopia.com
Contact: support@sonopia.com
Spotted by: Rick Rodrigues
It's so easy to find like-minded people these days, it seems that there's a market for everything.
Life is becoming so complicated, I am awaiting the new trend of non-branded EVERYTHING, going back to individual craftsmen (and woman of course, let's not be sexist here!!!) and people will abandon their mobile phones and other technology completely. What will that trend be called I wonder!
My other question is that it is possible to create so many streams of micro-revenue these days, is there a name for this trend? I mean where people make 3% on their sonoma calls and ten cents a week from their Google ads, what do you call this?
Great!!!
As far as I understand the Sinopia concept is actually only software allowing existing mobile users to socialize together while creating mobile and web communities. As long as it is only software, it is at mercy to existing mobile network providers (the hardware). I doubt these providers will only watch how Sinopia is using their networks. They will either introduce some fees for Sinopia users or develop similar concept into their network with or without Sinopia. I can imagine that Sinopia can be an interesting concept for new mobile network providers like a project I found at http://www.business-idea.com page http://www.business-idea.com/ShowPosting.asp?ID=2229
"Life is becoming so complicated, I am awaiting the new trend of non-branded EVERYTHING, going back to individual craftsmen (and woman of course, let's not be sexist here!!!) and people will abandon their mobile phones and other technology completely. What will that trend be called I wonder!"
UNPLUGGED? STONE AGE?
Who knows? But I see your point there.
Even the non-branded is branded i.e. Muji (Japan)
As of APRIL 2008, THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN OPERATION. Like other companies like this one, which I believe would have been a great idea, It appears that these companies may have had many marketing campaign issues, impatient parent companies & investors.
Thanks for the update, Chris! According to Sonopia, they haven't quit, but have gone into hibernation. Which sounds like an irreversible road to closing down. Too bad! More on the "hibernation" here: http://tinyurl.com/6p8y73