The MVNO Nation Awards 2025 have officially wrapped up, celebrating the most innovative companies and ideas shaping the global mobile ecosystem. From new MVNOs disrupting regional markets to eSIM and B2B providers powering global connectivity, this year’s winners and nominees reflect a fast-changing telecom landscape—one where flexibility, digitalisation, and collaboration define success.

Let’s take a closer look at the categories that matter most for travel connectivity, roaming, and the growing eSIM economy.

eSIMs Take the Lead

The “Most Comprehensive eSIM Solution” category highlighted how far the eSIM industry has come. What was once a niche technology is now at the centre of modern connectivity—from travel apps and device manufacturers to enterprise IoT.

eSIM Go won the category, standing out for its global coverage and integration-friendly platform that supports both consumer and B2B use cases. The shortlist also included floLIVE, NetLync, and Zetexa, three companies pushing eSIM innovation in their own ways.

Each nominee represents a different facet of the eSIM ecosystem:

• eSIM Go focuses on scalable partnerships and white-label solutions for travel and enterprise brands.
• floLIVE operates with an IoT and cloud-native mindset, helping organizations manage devices worldwide.
• NetLync works closely with OEMs and carriers to simplify onboarding and profile downloads across devices.
• Zetexa has expanded into multi-region eSIM and roaming enablement.

Together, they show how eSIM solutions are moving toward universality—simplifying connectivity for travellers, remote workers, and enterprises alike.

The B2B Backbone of Modern Connectivity

If there was one category that captured how telecom is changing behind the scenes, it was “Best B2B Offering.”

Telgea USA earned the top spot, recognised for creating flexible solutions that help other companies launch and scale MVNO operations. Telgea’s focus on automation, integration, and simplicity shows that “connectivity as a service” is becoming the new standard.

The other finalists—IoT and Fluke—each represent different strengths within the B2B space:

• 1oT specialises in IoT connectivity and eSIM management for devices in logistics, automotive, and industrial use.
• fluke develops scalable connectivity frameworks for smaller MVNOs and niche enterprises.

What connects all three is a clear market trend: MVNOs and service providers are no longer defined by consumer plans alone. The future of telecom lies in B2B-focused APIs, automation platforms, and enterprise-ready solutions that enable new business models—from smart tourism to connected mobility.

Roaming Partnerships Redefined

Roaming continues to be one of the most important parts of the connectivity chain, and this year’s “Best Roaming Partner” category recognized companies making global data access more reliable and affordable.

The nominees were Telefónica Global Solutions, Proximus Global, Plintron, and Zetexa Global Pvt Ltd — four providers that enable MVNOs and brands to deliver seamless cross-border connectivity.

Telefónica Global Solutions took the award, reflecting its extensive international partnerships and ability to deliver consistent roaming performance across regions. Proximus Global and Plintron continue to build on their strong presence in wholesale and enablement, offering flexible models for virtual operators and global enterprises. Zetexa Global, also shortlisted, highlights the diversification of roaming enablers entering the market.

For travellers and mobile users, these developments translate into more stable coverage, transparent pricing, and simpler onboarding when crossing borders. For MVNOs, it means easier access to global roaming without the heavy infrastructure burden that once made expansion complex.

The Best New MVNOs

The “Best New MVNO” category remains one of the most anticipated each year because it signals where the next wave of consumer and niche connectivity brands is headed.

This year’s finalists were Qué tal Móvil, Spot Money, and Telgea USA—all bringing different approaches to the same challenge: delivering simple, digital-first connectivity.

Qué tal Móvil won the award and was recognized for combining strong customer engagement with adaptable mobile plans. Spot Money represents the growing overlap between fintech and telecom, while Telgea USA’s second nomination underscores the value of building robust infrastructure that serves both consumer and enterprise audiences.

Most of these new entrants operate eSIM-first or hybrid models, underlining how digital activation is now the standard for MVNOs entering the market.

Regional Winners That Deserve a Shoutout

Two regional awards really caught our attention:

• Best Regional MVNO – Africa: Capitec
• Best Regional MVNO – Latin America: Surf

Both regions are seeing massive mobile growth, with millions of users coming online for the first time. Capitec, a name already familiar in South Africa’s financial sector, continues to prove that fintech and connectivity go hand in hand.

Meanwhile, Surf’s success in Latin America underlines how local providers can create meaningful competition through affordability and reliability—something especially crucial in markets where telecom monopolies still dominate.

These awards show that the future of MVNOs isn’t just global—it’s local with purpose.

Behind the Scenes: Wholesale, Digitalisation, and Roaming

A few categories in the list highlight the “invisible engines” that make modern telecom tick.

• Best Wholesale Partner: BT Wholesale
• Best Digitalisation Partner: Infobip

BT Wholesale remains a cornerstone for UK and global connectivity. Their scale and reliability make them a trusted partner for countless MVNOs looking to expand coverage or access strong infrastructure.

Infobip, on the other hand, represents the growing intersection of telecom and tech. They’ve been redefining what “digitalisation” means—helping MVNOs automate, personalize, and connect across multiple communication channels.

What These Awards Tell Us About the Industry

Looking across the eSIM, B2B, and roaming categories, several clear patterns emerge.

1. eSIM is becoming the universal layer of connectivity.
What began as a travel convenience is now central to both enterprise and consumer strategies. Whether through eSIM Go’s comprehensive platform or floLIVE’s IoT applications, eSIM is proving it can support everything from short-term travel data to large-scale device fleets.

2. B2B providers are driving the next phase of MVNO growth.
Telgea, 1oT, and fluke reflect a structural shift: MVNOs are now service enablers for other industries—not just telecom brands. Airlines, hotels, fintech apps, and IoT operators are integrating connectivity as a built-in feature, not an add-on.

3. Roaming innovation is accelerating.
Instead of being seen as a cost centre, roaming is evolving into a competitive advantage. Telefónica Global Solutions’ win and the range of shortlisted partners show that efficient global connectivity remains a core differentiator for MVNOs and eSIM providers alike.

4. The new MVNO wave is digital-only.
Qué tal Móvil and Spot Money show how far digital onboarding and self-service models have come. Most new MVNOs are designing customer journeys entirely around mobile apps, online support, and instant eSIM activation.

Together, these trends point to a single conclusion: the global MVNO ecosystem is becoming more integrated, automated, and customer-centric.

Why It Matters for Connectivity and Travel

For anyone operating in the travel, telecom, or hospitality industries, the MVNO Nation Awards are more than a showcase—they’re a barometer of where the market is heading.

eSIM solutions are making roaming simpler for international travellers. B2B providers are helping travel tech and hospitality brands offer connectivity as part of their service packages. Roaming enablers are expanding access to global data coverage at better rates.

Each of these developments aligns with a single goal: frictionless global connectivity.

As travellers expect instant data access, and businesses seek reliable global coverage without complex contracts, these award winners and nominees are setting the benchmarks.

The eSIM category shows how multi-network flexibility can replace traditional roaming. The B2B category proves that telecom partnerships are now key to powering digital transformation in tourism, logistics, and fintech. And the roaming category demonstrates that collaboration between operators, enablers, and virtual providers continues to improve real-world experiences for users on the move.

Closing Thoughts

The MVNO Nation Awards 2025 highlight a market in motion—one where innovation is happening in the background infrastructure that keeps the world connected.

From eSIM Go’s integration-driven platform to Telgea’s scalable B2B model and Telefónica’s global roaming reach, these companies exemplify how technology, business models, and customer needs are converging.

For MVNOs, the message is clear: adaptability and collaboration are now the most valuable assets.
For travellers, it means seamless, affordable, and flexible connectivity is closer than ever.