Spusu
Spusu is an Austrian mobile virtual network operator that provides consumer telecommunications services across several European markets.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Spusu is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) associated with MASS Response Service. The brand was launched in Austria in 2015 and initially operated using the Three network. Its name is derived from the German phrase “sprich und surf,” meaning “speak and surf,” reflecting the brand’s focus on accessible mobile voice, messaging and data services. The company expanded beyond Austria during the 2020s. It began offering telecommunications services in Italy in 2020 over the Wind Tre network, entered the United Kingdom in 2023 using the EE network, and launched in Switzerland in 2024 over the Salt Mobile network. In Austria, its dialing prefix is 0670. In parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland, Spusu also operates a 5G network using its own frequencies, giving the business a more substantial network role in those regions than a purely wholesale-based MVNO model. Spusu has reported rapid customer growth. It stated that it had more than 100,000 customers in 2017, approximately 300,000 contracted customers at the beginning of 2020, and more than 500,000 at the beginning of 2023. These figures indicate a strategy centered on scaling a value-oriented mobile proposition while retaining a relatively focused brand identity. The available reference material does not establish whether these figures were independently audited. The brand has received recognition in Austrian consumer-provider comparisons. In a 2016 survey by the Society for Consumer Studies (ÖGVS), Spusu ranked first for conditions and third overall among 23 mobile providers. In the following year, it won the overall ranking in an ÖGVS comparison of 21 providers, taking first place for both conditions and customer service. These results helped position the young operator around straightforward terms, customer service and price-conscious mobile offerings. Spusu’s roaming policy also became an important part of its early operating history. After the European Union’s 2017 abolition of retail roaming surcharges within fair-use limits, Austria’s telecom regulator granted Spusu temporary exemptions in 2017 and 2018 because of concerns that mandatory roaming could create negative contribution margins for its domestic charging model. Even during the exemption period, Spusu offered free voice and SMS roaming in the EU and European Economic Area, together with tariff-dependent data allowances. From April 2019, the company provided EU-regulated data roaming in full on current tariffs, with exceptions for certain legacy and data-only plans. Marketing and sponsorship have been prominent elements of the brand’s public profile. Spusu served as the main and title sponsor of the Austrian Handball League from 2017 to 2021. It has also sponsored Austrian sports organizations including SKN St. Pölten, FC Mistelbach and the Vienna Capitals. A sponsorship of SK Rapid Vienna began in 2022. In advertising, former Austrian football international Hans Krankl became a Spusu testimonial in 2018, replacing football coach Dietmar Kühbauer as the brand’s principal advertising face. The broader Spusu portfolio has also been promoted through separate public figures: Toni Polster for Spusu e-bikes and Harry Prünster for Spusu wine. Overall, Spusu is best understood as a value-focused, Austria-originated MVNO that has developed into a multi-market telecommunications brand. Its known activities include mobile voice, messaging, data, roaming and selected 5G services, while related brand extensions and sponsorships have broadened its visibility beyond core connectivity. The available material does not provide sufficient information to determine its current financial performance, exact corporate structure beyond its association with MASS Response Service, or the detailed composition of its present tariff portfolio.
History
Spusu emerged in Austria in 2015 as a mobile virtual network operator connected with MASS Response Service. The brand name comes from “sprich und surf,” a German expression that can be translated as “speak and surf.” From its launch, the business operated as a service provider rather than as a conventional nationwide network operator, using a host mobile network to sell its own branded telecommunications products. The initial Austrian service used the Three network. Spusu’s early growth was reflected in figures reported by the company: it stated that the operator had more than 100,000 customers in 2017 and approximately 300,000 contracted customers at the beginning of 2020. The brand’s market proposition was reinforced by consumer testing. In a 2016 ÖGVS survey covering 23 mobile providers, Spusu ranked first in the conditions category and third overall. In 2017, another ÖGVS comparison of 21 providers named Spusu the overall winner, with first-place results for conditions and customer service. Roaming regulation was a significant issue during the company’s early years. The EU’s retail roaming regime, introduced in 2017, generally prevented operators from imposing additional roaming charges within the European Union and European Economic Area, subject to fair-use rules. Austria’s Rundfunk- und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH granted Spusu a temporary exemption in October 2017 and renewed it in October 2018. The exemption was based on the possibility that compulsory roaming could produce negative contribution margins and threaten the sustainability of the operator’s domestic pricing model. Spusu nevertheless provided free voice and SMS roaming in the EU and EEA, along with limited data roaming that varied by tariff. From April 2019, data roaming under the EU framework was offered in full on current tariffs, while some older tariffs and data plans without roaming remained exceptions. Spusu began international expansion in 2020 by entering Italy over the Wind Tre network. The company later entered the United Kingdom in 2023, using EE, and Switzerland in 2024, using Salt Mobile. In Austria, the brand also developed a regional 5G presence using its own frequencies in Lower Austria and Burgenland. This combination of wholesale network access in multiple countries and selected own-frequency operations in Austria gave Spusu a hybrid profile within the MVNO sector. The company reported further customer growth, stating that its contracted base exceeded 500,000 at the beginning of 2023. The published material does not provide independently verified financial results or a detailed breakdown of customers by country. Brand-building has relied heavily on sport, public personalities and sponsorship. Spusu was the main and title sponsor of the Austrian Handball League from 2017 through 2021. From 2018, it sponsored SKN St. Pölten, FC Mistelbach and the Vienna Capitals, and it began sponsoring SK Rapid Vienna in 2022. In September 2018, former Austrian footballer Hans Krankl was announced as the company’s advertising testimonial, replacing Dietmar Kühbauer. Other personalities were associated with adjacent branded activities: Toni Polster promoted Spusu e-bikes and Harry Prünster promoted Spusu wine. Spusu’s development therefore combines rapid customer acquisition, an initially Austrian value-MVNO model, regulated roaming adaptation, selective network investment and expansion into additional European markets. It remains associated with MASS Response Service, although the available reference does not establish a complete current ownership or executive profile.
- 2024
Spusu enters Switzerland
[1]Spusu launches services in Switzerland over the Salt Mobile network.
- 2023
Spusu enters the United Kingdom
[1]The brand begins offering telecommunications services in the United Kingdom through the EE network.
- 2023
Spusu reports more than 500,000 contracted customers
[1]Spusu reports that its contracted customer base has exceeded 500,000 at the beginning of the year.
- 2022
Spusu begins sponsorship of SK Rapid Vienna
[1]Spusu becomes a sponsor of SK Rapid Vienna.
- 2021
Austrian Handball League title sponsorship ends
[1]Spusu’s reported period as the Austrian Handball League’s main and title sponsor concludes.
- 2020
Spusu enters Italy
[1]The operator begins offering services in Italy over the Wind Tre network.
- 2020
Spusu reaches approximately 300,000 contracted customers
[1]The company reports around 300,000 customers under contract at the beginning of the year.
- 2019
Full EU-regulated data roaming introduced on current tariffs
[1]Spusu begins providing EU-regulated data roaming in full on current tariffs, with specified legacy and data-only exceptions.
- 2018
Roaming exemption renewed
[1]The Austrian regulator renews Spusu’s temporary roaming exemption for another year.
- 2018
Hans Krankl becomes advertising testimonial
[1]Hans Krankl becomes the principal public face of Spusu advertising, replacing Dietmar Kühbauer.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented European MVNO emphasizing accessible mobile tariffs, transparent conditions, customer service and broad consumer recognition through sports sponsorships and advertising.
Mobile telecommunications · 2015
Mobile voice and SMS tariffs
Spusu’s core offering consists of branded mobile plans combining voice calling and text messaging. The operator sells these services as an MVNO, using host networks in its operating markets while managing the customer-facing brand and tariff proposition.
Mobile telecommunications · 2015
Mobile data tariffs
Mobile data is a central part of Spusu’s “speak and surf” positioning. The brand offers data as part of general mobile tariffs and also provides data-focused plans. Specific allowances and current tariff names are not established by the supplied reference material.
Mobile telecommunications
5G services
In parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland, Spusu operates a 5G network using its own frequencies. This regional network activity supplements the broader MVNO model used through partner networks in Austria and other countries.
Roaming services · 2017
EU and EEA roaming
Spusu provides roaming for customers traveling within the European Union and European Economic Area. During its temporary regulatory exemption, the company offered free voice and SMS roaming plus limited data allowances; from April 2019, current tariffs received EU-regulated data roaming in full, subject to stated exceptions.
Branded mobility products
Spusu e-bikes
E-bikes are a related branded product line associated with Spusu rather than its core telecommunications operation. Toni Polster has served as the advertising face for this product activity.
Branded consumer products
Spusu wine
Wine is another adjacent product activity marketed under the Spusu name. Harry Prünster has been identified as the advertising face for Spusu wine.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022SK Rapid Vienna sponsorship
Austria
Spusu began sponsoring SK Rapid Vienna as part of its continuing Austrian sports-marketing strategy.
- 2018Hans Krankl advertising campaign
Austria
Former Austrian football player Hans Krankl became Spusu’s advertising testimonial across online, television and print formats.
Outcome. Krankl replaced Dietmar Kühbauer as the brand’s advertising face.
- 2018Austrian sports sponsorship portfolio
Austria
Spusu was identified as a main sponsor of SKN St. Pölten and FC Mistelbach, and as a sponsor of the Vienna Capitals.
- 2017Austrian Handball League title sponsorship
Austria
Spusu became the main and title sponsor of the Austrian Handball League, linking the telecommunications brand with a national sports property.
Outcome. The sponsorship continued through 2021.
Brand decisions
2024
Expand into SwitzerlandStrategyBackground
Spusu extended its international MVNO model to another European telecommunications market.
Action taken
The brand began offering services in Switzerland through the Salt Mobile network.
Aftermath
Switzerland became the fourth reported national market for Spusu.
2023
Expand into the United KingdomStrategyBackground
Spusu continued its European geographic expansion after entering Italy.
Action taken
The company began offering mobile telecommunications services in the United Kingdom over the EE network.
Aftermath
The United Kingdom became Spusu’s third reported operating market.
2020
Expand into ItalyStrategyBackground
After establishing its Austrian MVNO business, Spusu pursued international expansion within Europe.
Action taken
The brand launched telecommunications services in Italy using the Wind Tre network.
Aftermath
Italy became Spusu’s second reported national market.
2017
Seek a temporary exemption from EU roaming obligationsStrategyBackground
The introduction of EU retail roaming rules created concerns that mandatory roaming at regulated prices could produce negative contribution margins for Spusu’s domestic pricing model.
Action taken
Spusu obtained a temporary exemption from Austria’s telecom regulator while continuing to offer free EU and EEA voice and SMS roaming and limited data roaming.
Aftermath
The exemption was renewed in 2018. From April 2019, current tariffs generally received full EU-regulated data roaming, apart from specified older and data-only plans.
Sources1 sources
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