MrBeast wants to sell you phone service – here’s what that actually means (and what could go wrong)

Business Insider says a leaked MrBeast investor deck lays out plans for a creator-branded MVNO, with a potential 2026 launch window and a carrier partner like T-Mobile or Verizon supplying the network. If he copies the Mint Mobile playbook – real savings, loud marketing, painless eSIM signup – he could move serious lines. But MVNOs live and die on pricing discipline, customer support, and churn control, not hype alone.

What the report actually says

• The plan: MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is exploring a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) built on another carrier’s network rather than building towers – classic reseller model.
• Timing: No firm date; BI says a leaked early-2025 deck pointed to 2026, and sources described it as one of several initiatives – not the top priority right now.
• The template: Celebrity MVNOs are “in vogue” post-Mint. Ryan Reynolds’ Mint Mobile was valued up to $1.35B in its T-Mobile deal (announced 2023; closed May 1, 2024).
• The pitch: Leverage his massive audience (400M+ followers) while outsourcing billing and customer service via an MVNE/wholesale partner – industry experts say that’s the sane path.
• Context: Beast Industries is diversifying (Feastables, Lunchly, toys) and evaluating fintech and games; the team is pushing for profitability with tighter media spend.

Quick refresher: what an MVNO is (and isn’t)

• An MVNO buys network capacity wholesale from a carrier (MNO) and resells it under its own brand. It typically leans on an MVNE for the plumbing (provisioning, billing, support). No towers; all about packaging and price.

Why this matters to consumers

• Real savings – or just branding? Mint didn’t win because of a famous face alone; it won with lower prices and prepay value, then got bought. If a MrBeast MVNO undercuts carrier-owned prepaid (and includes taxes/fees clearly), consumers win. If it’s parity pricing plus merch, hard pass.
• Sign-up could be brain-dead simple: A creator-grade funnel with instant eSIM, one-screen checkout, and “what plan do I actually need?” guidance would remove a ton of friction first-timers feel moving off Big 3 plans. (That UX is where modern MVNOs either shine or faceplant.)
• Support is the make-or-break: Viral brands can sell a million SIMs in a weekend; can they answer a million port-in tickets, 911 address updates, spam-call complaints, and lost-phone swaps? Outsourcing to a mature MVNE helps, but you still need tight SLAs.
• Priority and hotspot reality: MVNO data is often deprioritized vs. premium postpaid. If MrBeast promises “creator speed,” the plan better disclose thresholds, video caps, and hotspot limits in plain English.

The Mint Mobile playbook (and the traps)

• What worked for Mint: honest out-the-door value (multi-month prepay), relentless creative, and a clear BYOD message – then a clean exit when T-Mobile closed the acquisition in 2024.
• What trips new MVNOs: bait-and-switch “unlimited,” opaque taxes/fees, clunky eSIM flows, and underestimating customer service volume. Recent MVNO gyrations (plan changes, walk-backs) show how hard sustainable pricing is at scale.

Signals to watch before you switch

• Which carrier’s network? Verizon vs. T-Mobile matters for your ZIP code; look for a real coverage map and a domestic roaming stance.
• MVNE partner: A seasoned backbone (porting, billing, fraud, E911) is the difference between “fun launch” and “support meltdown.”
• Plan math: Are taxes/fees included? Is there a price-lock? What’s the hotspot allotment? What happens after 35–50GB? (If it’s not spelled out, assume the worst.)
• eSIM and BYOD: One-tap activations with instant number transfer are table stakes now; if it’s mail-a-SIM only, that’s a red flag.

Who this could be great for

• Single-line budget shoppers who will happily trade priority for a lower bill if the savings are genuine.
• Fans who actually need a new carrier (switch-ready phones, no device financing baggage) and value simple, seasonal promos over cable-bundle complexity.

Who should stay skeptical

• Heavy hotspot and road-warrior users: MVNOs rarely beat premium postpaid for tethering and congestion.
• Anyone mid-financing on a carrier phone: Early payoff to switch can nuke any monthly savings.

My take

• MrBeast can absolutely sell phone service; the audience is there. Whether he can keep those customers for 12–24 months at healthy margins is the real test. If the launch looks more like Mint (clear value, transparent terms) than a novelty drop, consumers win – and the carriers will pay attention.