Mobile phone operator

A mobile phone operator, wireless provider, or carrier is a mobile telecommunications company that provides wireless Internet GSM services for mobile device users. The operator gives a SIM card to the customer who inserts it into the mobile device to gain access to the service. There are two types of mobile operators: a mobile network operator (MNO) which owns the underlying network and spectrum assets required to run the service. a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) which buys wholesale service from an MNO and sells on to its own customers. (and for years before), the world's largest individual mobile operator by subscribers is China Mobile with over 835 million mobile subscribers. Over 50 mobile operators have over 10 million subscribers each, and over 150 mobile operators had at least one million subscribers by the end of 2009. In February 2010, there were 4.6 billion mobile subscribers, a number that is estimated to grow. Total mobile‐cellular subscriptions reached almost 6 billion by end 2011, corresponding to a global penetration of 86% History of mobile phones Prior to 1973, cellular mobile device technology was limited to devices installed in cars and other vehicles. The first fully automated telephone calling system for vehicles was launched in Sweden in 1960, called MTA (mobile telephone system A). Calls from the car were direct dial, whereas incoming calls required an operator to determine which base station the device was currently at. In 1962, an upgraded version called Mobile System B (MTB) was introduced. In 1971, the MTD version was launched, opening for several different brands of equipment and gaining commercial success. The network remained open until 1983 and still had 600 customers when it closed. In 1958, development began on a similar service in the USSR, the Altay system for motorists. In 1963, the service started in Moscow, and by 1970, was deployed in 30 cities across the USSR. Versions of the Altay system are still in use today as a trunking system in some parts of Russia.