Although there has been some discussion of virtual operations, especially those of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), in the literature, there have been very few full‐scale case studies. This case study aims to examine the strategy of a very large virtual operator, Tele2.
The procedure of the study is to examine the meaning of the term “virtual operator”, to see how this can be applied over time to Tele2 and hence to determine whether Tele2's success has been dependent on using a virtual operator model.
It is established in the paper that Tele2's initial success was closely linked to its virtual operator status, but also that it has increasingly tended to behave like an infrastructure‐based operator as the competitive landscape has evolved.
There are strictly no other operators directly comparable with Tele2.
Case studies in the field of virtual operations are scarce and limited in their scope. This paper accordingly adds significantly to the literature.
