One of the first mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in Latin America, Colombian Uff Móvil launched its services back in November 2010 and ended December 2011 with 249,000 users or 0.7% share of the wireless market. This is expansive growth compared to the 0.18% of market share it registered in the second quarter of 2011.
According to Santiago Aldana, Uff Móvil’s CEO, number portability, which began in Columbia in July last year, benefited the MVNO. However, it was not the only factor. “People understand what MVNOs are about, and as more are launched, it becomes easier,” Aldana told RCR Wireless News during last week’s MVNO Industry Summit Latam (check all stories).
In Colombia, MVNOs such as Uff and ETB compete with big players: América Móvil’s Comcel, Teléfonica’s Movistar and Tigo.
However, many customers own more than one SIM card, most often in a prepaid plan. Among Uff Móvil’s future goals, the company hopes to add more clients who have Uff as their primary carrier, as well as increase the ARPU (average revenue per user).
