Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Virtel?
A. Virtel is a Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) established to make it easier for pure brands and smaller marketing organisations to access unbranded wholesale Mobile (GSM) services.
Q. Isn't it costly to enter the market?
A. No Virtel has reduced the cost of entry by negotiating access to key resources such as billing and customer care and making them available to our MVNOs on a largely 'pay as you go' basis.
Q. I don't know anything about the mobile market and its cost structure.
A. We regularly analyse the market and model the various offers and will make this information with recommendations available to you.
Q. What do I need to be successful in this market?
A. What you need is strong brand that enjoys good customer loyalty an established customer base that you can cross sell mobility services.
Q. How can I compete against the established brands?
A. The secret is a lower cost of customer acquisition and the loyalty of customers to your brand.
Q. Isn't a MVNO just another name for a service provider?
A. No. An MVNO owns customers and is able to differentiate their services by setting tariffs and supplying other value added services that set their offering apart from other brands.
Q. How do I design an attractive tariff?
A. Tariffs are designed to appeal to different consumer and business segments according to the usage made by the customer. We provide you with a basic tariff based on a flagfall and per second billing. You are free to customise this offering to design a set of tariffs that can address each market segment. We help you by providing information on statistical customer usage that assist your tariffs to deliver the right result.
Q. I don't have any staff that know anything about the mobile business.
A. Virtel provides you with access to highly experienced managers and technologists and will reduce your staff requirements to that of sales and marketing.
Q. Won't that cost me a lot of money?
A. No. Virtel provides pre-qualified MVNOs with access to our services at no additional cost to the use of the mobile network, Virtel is rewarded only through the success of the MVNO.
Q. How does Virtel make its money?
A. We have a wholesale agreement with Vodafone that allows us to buy airtime and data at a highly discounted rate. We are able to make you an attractive offer and still retain a margin that funds our business. In other words unless you are successful we don't make any money.
Q. Wouldn't I be better off by approaching Vodafone directly?
A. You are welcome to approach Vodafone to ask them that question however you will probably find that unless you are able to guarantee large call volumes there will be little or no difference between our price offers. We on the other hand offer you minimal cost of entry and lots of bundled consultancy. In addition, for brands the issue of having a "graceful exit" is provided by Virtel, this exit strategy will allow brands to "opt out" at any point with no shutdown costs.
Q. Do I need to provide Director's guarantees and a bond before I can get started?
A. No. Virtel has designed a security model that does not require director or bank guarantees ensuring efficient use of your balance sheet. Virtel will assess each potential MVNO and workshop appropriate security models, our goal is to have reasonable security, without hampering the growth of the MVNO.
Q. What if I decide to get out of the business?
A. There are several options including that we will make an offer to take over your mobility customers.
Q. Can I get access to other mobile networks?
A. Yes. You are free to establish wholesale arrangements with other operators however Virtel's GSM services are exclusive to the Vodafone network.
Q. How do I bill my customers?
A. We have made arrangements with several companies that are able to offer post-paid billing services on a primarily 'pay as you go' basis. These companies are already interconnected to the Vodafone network. You are free to select the one that best suits your needs. Details of these companies are provided in 'our partners'.
Q. Can I supply prepaid as well as post paid services?
A. Yes. Virtel has different models depending on the potential of the MVNO.
Q. Can I provide value added services such as mobile commerce and tailored information?
A. Yes. Virtel is able to facilitate access to these services or to work with you to design a service specifically for the needs of your customers.
Q. How do I get started?
A. What we need is a signed Non Disclosure agreement that will allow us to share our confidential plans and financial models. Please email us or call us so to commence discussions.
(02) 8916 2200
