Mobile network operators (MNO) host over a thousand cellular service providers worldwide as of May 2012, according to a new Wireless Intelligence study, comprising 812 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) and 224 MNO sub-brands.

The research shows that MVNOs are most prevalent in mature markets where market penetration has surpassed 100%. Europe is home to two-thirds of global MVNOs, followed by Asia-Pacific (125 MVNOs) and North America (90 MVNOs). By contrast, regulatory measures have held back the growth of MVNOs in markets such as the Middle East and Latin America.