The Boon of Wireless
Join in on a relaxed discussion featuring wireless mobile executives, with a simple goal of sharing knowledge and educating those who need wireless products in the market.
The Boon of Wireless
Are Independent MVNOs Surviving? Q1 2026 Wireless Industry Update
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As Q1 2026 wraps up, the wireless industry is moving fast — and host Jon Horovitz breaks it all down on this solo episode of The Boon of Wireless.
Jon opens with a piece of telecom history: the first public handheld cell phone call, made by Motorola's Martin Cooper on April 3, 1973 — a moment that set the entire wireless industry in motion. From there, he pivots to the present, unpacking the biggest trends shaping the market right now.
Cable operators are on a roll. Comcast, Spectrum, and Cox — with Cox expected to fold into Spectrum later in 2026 — are posting strong mobile net adds, with the cable MVNO segment surpassing 20 million total subscribers in Q4 2025. Meanwhile, true independent MVNOs represent just about 10% of the market and are facing mounting pressure as major carriers continue absorbing former MVNO brands. Jon makes the case for why differentiation — not just commodity access — is the key to MVNO survival.
Jon also previews the trade show calendar for 2026:
- MVNO Nation Americas 2026 — Miami, FL | April 27–29
- Gadget Repair Expo — Atlantic City, NJ | May 19–20
- All Wireless & Prepaid Expo — Las Vegas, NV | August 18–19