From: wb8foz@panix.com   
      
   On 12/15/22 10:09 AM, Bill Horne wrote:   
   > The term mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) refers to a company   
   > that sells wireless communication services. MVNOs employ third-party   
   > infrastructure, as opposed to traditional mobile network operators   
   > (MNOs), who operate their infrastructure.   
      
   Except, what infrastructure the MNO owns is also a real question. They   
   may or may not own “their” cell sites. They may have a contract with   
   someone to build and own a site, with an exclusive lease agreement.   
   (Why? CAPEX(1) vs. lease expense are different to the IRS.)   
      
   And way out in the boonies, they may be on a site owned by a third   
   party, and having a non-exclusive lease with that party.  “Our town is   
   so small it has one and only one cell tower...”   
      
   And the site owners may well be renting tower space from the tower   
   owner. Don't forget the leased fiber backhaul or point-to-point   
   microwave link {likely leased....} from the tower to the switching   
   office.   
      
   The vitally important part the MNO *does* have, and the MVNO does NOT,   
   is .... the FCC license for that cell site. Beyond that, it’s   
   Hollywood bookkeeping.   
      
   1.  (Capital expenditures -mod)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)