San Francisco, CA, USA, May 6th, 2026, FinanceWire
Gigs, the operating system for mobile services, today announced the establishment of a new category for mobile virtual network operators seeking a modern mobile virtual network enabler operating system, described as embedded connectivity.
The announcement reflects a market development underway in the MVNO segment. Historically, MVNOs were primarily telecom-native providers. Tech companies are now reported as one of the fastest-growing segments of new MVNOs. In 2026, fintech companies, device manufacturers, and consumer platforms are increasingly seeking to offer mobile subscriptions as part of their broader product experience.
The global MVNO market is forecast to reach $150.8 billion by 2034, according to IMARC Group. That growth is not just being driven by legacy carriers, but also by tech companies with strong distribution, deep user trust, and the agility to move fast.
Gigs is the leading embedded connectivity platform for this next generation of MVNOs, and has spent five years building the infrastructure, compliance coverage, and carrier relationships to prove it.
As Carrier of Record, Gigs handles all compliance requirements so partners never hold a telecom license, file a regulatory form, or remit a telecom tax. Through a single API integration, partners access local eSIM provisioning in 50+ countries, roaming coverage in 195+ countries, prioritized 5G data from the world’s top networks, PCI-compliant billing, and AI-powered customer service via Gigs Operator.
It is this full-stack approach that defines the embedded connectivity category and sets Gigs apart from traditional MVNE partnerships. Many of the world’s leading fintechs have already chosen Gigs to launch their MVNOs, and the trend is only accelerating.
Frequently Asked Information
Embedded connectivity is the model through which a company, such as a fintech, device maker, airline, or consumer platform, integrates branded mobile phone plans directly into its product, without building or operating telecom infrastructure. The brand owns the user relationship. The embedded connectivity platform handles everything underneath.
Four types of companies are leveraging embedded connectivity platforms to launch their MVNOs in 2026: fintechs and neobanks earning recurring revenue from branded phone plans embedded inside their apps; airlines and travel brands offering travel eSIMs as a loyalty benefit and roaming alternative; device makers provisioning eSIMs at the point of sale to create new recurring revenue streams; and enterprises automating employee eSIM provisioning across global teams through a single platform.
The new generation of MVNOs wants to launch fast without the complexity of owning telecom infrastructure and expertise themselves. The embedded connectivity model with Gigs is distinct from an MVNO build through a traditional MVNE, which costs upwards of $5 million and takes 12 to 18 months before the first subscriber activates. Gigs replaces the traditional model with a single API integration that gets partners live in six to eight weeks at a fraction of the cost of a traditional MVNO build.
About Gigs
Gigs is the leader in embedded connectivity, powering global mobile infrastructure for some of the world’s largest enterprises. By bridging the gap between telecom carriers and modern digital platforms, Gigs enables connectivity for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Gigs is backed by Ribbit Capital, Google’s Gradient Ventures, and Y Combinator. Readers can learn more at www.gigs.com.