🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

A fintech platform is linking up with a new mobile carrier

• Eastel is a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), a mobile provider that sells service on another company’s network, with a launch set for the first quarter of 2026 1.
• It will be the first company buying wholesale access on U Mobile’s new 5G network under a five-year deal that also covers 4G service 1.
• The deal gives U Mobile an early partner as it takes on a government-backed role as Malaysia’s second 5G wholesale operator, competing with Digital Nasional Berhad, the state-owned company built to run the country’s first national 5G network 1.
• Eastel is aimed at Malaysia’s gig economy plus creators 1, which fits TNG Digital’s push to offer business accounts for micro, small to medium enterprises plus gig workers 2.

Fintech apps are becoming places to buy mobile plans

• The partnership makes TNG eWallet a place to buy mobile service, which could cut the cost of winning new customers for a newcomer like Eastel 3.
• Online sales are the fastest-growing route for MVNOs and can cut sign-up costs by half versus stores, which matters when it can take up to 24 months to earn back that spending 3.
• The setup follows a wider move to package mobile access with digital services 4.
• Here, a fintech app with almost 25 million verified users is selling telecom service, after adding fuel payments and a mental health solution 25.