The fibre optic market continues to grow strongly in Spain and, among the major operators, Movistar is leading the way in terms of new lines. For the Telefónica operator, this is a very good moment in which its figures exceed those of Vodafone and Orange, enjoying more than significant growth. In addition, its success in terms of mobile portability has also just been confirmed.
The CNMC (National Commission for Markets and Competition) has published the latest figures regarding the situation of fibre optic lines in Spain, corresponding to the month of May. They show that the FTTH market (fibre optics to the home) continues to grow significantly. A monthly growth of 90,430 lines is estimated for a total figure that already exceeds 15.3 million.
Movistar leads fiber
As can be seen in the graph published by the CNMC, the general data on the contracting of fibre optic lines remains very stable compared to previous months. There is a slight growth which, above all, implies not suffering a setback in terms of the contracting of lines. Although the operator Telefónica occupies the first place with very positive data, it is easy to see that the other operators are also enjoying a good moment in terms of the expansion of their fibre services.
Specifically, the data revealed indicate that 74.7% of the new lines contracted in May corresponded to Movistar, Orange and the operators of the MásMóvil Group. This clearly indicates what can be expected in the coming months in view of the latest changes that have occurred in the telecommunications sector.
And in mobile portability?
Moving on to the telephony sector, there was a gain of 118,932 lines in the month in question. This has led to the sector having 59.65 million lines in Spain, a figure that is also increasing if we compare it with the data recorded in May 2023. In comparison, the growth has been 2.5%.
In this case, Movistar is also the operator that is at the top of the list for obtaining new lines, obtaining 26.85% of the total. In second place is Orange with 21.57% and in third place Vodafone with 21.31%. A little below is the MasMovil Group, which is placed with 21.29%, so it is not so far from the other providers in the market.
Other data provided by the CNMC speak of portability. In this sense, although more than 500,000 portability transactions have been registered in the month of May, which is a significant figure, there are some operators that have been left behind. While Movistar has achieved a positive portability result, Orange, Vodafone and Grupo MasMovil have all had negative figures. The MVNOs also have a positive balance, whose services are clearly reaching an increasing number of people.
The latest data shared by the CNMC indicate that in May there were 27,997 fewer fixed telephone lines, that mobile voice lines, in this case with broadband, grew by 2.8% compared to data from 2023 and that 2,770,689 local NEBA lines have been reached.
With this information in hand, it is clear that the sector, although it is true that it is going through a period of transformation, finds in Movistar a solid leader. In addition, MVNOs continue to aim high and more and more users decide to opt for them. However, it remains to be seen what will be seen in the following analysis in view of the current situation of Orange, MásMóvil and the changes in rates that Vodafone has experienced.
