Brazil’s telecoms market saw a flurry of activity in June, with nearly 344 million broadband, mobile, landline, and TV accesses registered. This represented a decrease of 1.8 million from the previous month but an increase of 5.7 million year-on-year. Among the key developments in the market was Telefônica Brasil (Vivo) surpassing América Móvil’s Claro Brasil as the leading 5G player. This shift marked a significant milestone in the ongoing competition between the two telecom giants.
In the mobile telephony segment, 5G continued to gain traction, representing 11.3% of Brazil’s mobile market with 29.3 million accesses by the end of the first half of the year. Overall, the country recorded 260 million mobile accesses in June, remaining flat compared to May but up 3.4% year-on-year. 4G remained the dominant technology, accounting for 73.6% of the total base, while 2G and 3G usage continued to decline. Vivo led the market with a 38.8% share, followed closely by Claro (34%) and TIM (23.8%). All three major players experienced growth during the month, with Vivo leading in absolute figures.
In the fixed broadband segment, there were 49.4 million active contracts reported to regulator Anatel, with fiber optics comprising 75.3% of the total base. Satellite connections, driven by the emergence of Starlink, saw significant growth, adding nearly 113,000 accesses over the year. Starlink captured a substantial market share of 44.7%, followed by Hughes and Viasat. Vivo maintained its lead in the fiber market, with a 17.6% share, followed by Oi and other regional players.
Fixed telephony and pay-TV subscriptions experienced some fluctuations in June, with a slight decrease in fixed telephony subscribers and a decline in pay-TV subscriptions. Claro emerged as the leader in both segments, with significant market shares in fixed telephony and pay-TV. Satellite technology remained the dominant choice for pay-TV accesses, followed by coaxial cable and fiber.
Overall, the telecoms market in Brazil continues to evolve, with intense competition among key players driving innovation and growth in various segments. The rise of 5G, expansion of fiber optics, and emergence of new technologies like satellite broadband are reshaping the industry landscape. As consumer demand for connectivity and digital services grows, telecom companies are adapting to meet the evolving needs of the market.