Wireless service provider

A wireless service provider is a telephone company that provides services for mobile phone subscribers. The process of becoming a wireless service provider within a country usually begins by acquiring a radio spectrum license from the government. The precise spectrum obtained depends on the type of mobile phone technology the operator intends to deploy. For example, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network will require a GSM frequency range.

The government may allocate spectrum using whichever method it chooses, although the most common method is a spectrum auction. Recent allocation of 3G and WiMax licenses in Europe have been auctioned.