3GNewsroom.com reports on a new study from MVNO Directory that counts some 213 active MVNOs worldwide right now. An additional 34 are either in the process of launching (which, as we've seen with some, can be a slow and painful act), or have stated intentions to launch. Some big ones, such as Disney Mobile, are just coming out of the blocks and may have promise while others, such as ESPN's MVNO, don't seem to be doing well at all. Since those two are owned by the same parent company, maybe Disney will give ESPN some tips.

seventeen of the 34 potential launches are subjects of long-time speculation--Apple being one, and low-cost airline Ryanair being another.

Is it a good time to be an MVNO? Hard to say, though consumers are certainly getting used to the idea of getting mobile service from a favorite brand (or even a niche one), though the market is being cut more and more finely, and some have already suffered from this hyperfocus.

In this day and age, it also seems the big carriers are becoming more interested in growing their portfolios by adding segmented-targeted products and services instead of just getting revenue from someone else flogging your network time for them.