The first time I really came to know of MrBeast, it was because of a scam. I remember scrolling online and stumbling across many fake Instagram accounts promising free PS5 consoles in his name. They were everywhere. “mrbeastps5giveaways”, “ps5mrbeast_official” and similar handles, all trying to reel people in with the idea of winning something if you followed their steps.
So my first impression of him was strangely tied to people pretending to be him. I felt a mix of curiosity and disappointment. I'd wanted a PS5 myself. MrBeast, whose real name is anything but beastly, is now reportedly planning to launch his own mobile phone service by 2026.
Rumor has it that he’ll enter the telecom industry as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), and it's exciting to see. He’s already conquered YouTube with over 430 million subscribers and broken into the food industry with Feastables. Cell service is not beyond him.
Anticipate affordable carrier services alongside entertainment
Jimmy Donaldson is a 27-year-old American YouTuber who has built his fame on over-the-top stunts, philanthropy, and viral challenges. He’s the biggest creator on YouTube, with over 400 million subscribers, and his influence stretches across TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.
Beyond making content, he’s turned himself into a full-scale entrepreneur. His brand, Beast Industries, runs Feastables (a chocolate and snack company), Lunchly (a Lunchables-style food competitor), a toy line, and other ventures.
Now, according to leaked investor documents reported by Business Insider Africa, he’s setting his sights on telecommunications. He plans to add an MVNO to the available list. That means he’d lease network access from Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile and rebrand it as “MrBeast Mobile”.
Related: Klarna, The Pay Later Platform, Is Launching a Carrier Too
Celebrities and cell service do mix afterall
MrBeast isn’t the first celebrity to branch into telecommunications. In fact, the MVNO model has become something of a playbook. Ryan Reynolds is the best-known example as he bought into Mint Mobile in 2019. He took a 25% stake roughly and actively shaped the brand with his signature humor and self-aware advertising style.
His campaigns positioned Mint as a scrappy, affordable alternative to expensive carriers. It worked well with the low $15 monthly plans. By 2023, the strategy paid off massively and T-Mobile acquired Mint’s parent company in a deal worth up to $1.35 billion in cash and stock.
Reynolds, with his share, reportedly walked away with around $300 million. T-Mobile kept Mint’s affordable pricing intact and retained Reynolds in a creative role.
MrBeast is in a similar position. His YouTube empire is great for reach, but it’s volatile. Advertising revenue fluctuates with algorithms and production costs. But an MVNO would give him what Reynolds built with Mint, which is a recurring-revenue engine that doesn’t depend on the next viral video.
Carriers too bleed money on ads to acquire each customer. But Beast’s 400M subscribers already watch him daily, so his Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) could be near zero if he converts his audience directly.
If his average revenue per user falls in the $30–40 monthly range, he's assured a recurring revenue with massive scalability, roughly over $1.4 billion annually.
But it's not that he needs the money exactly. He's proven to be a savvy and sustainable business builder. It’s something many of us in our late twenties can only admire from a distance and aspire to.
never heard of him.