2018 Brazil - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Last updated: 4 Dec 2018 Update History

Report Status: Archived

Report Pages: 205

Analyst: Henry Lancaster

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Summary
Table Of Contents

Publication Overview

This report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Brazil’s telecommunications market. The report analyses the fixed-line, mobile and broadband sectors. Subjects include:

Market and industry analyses, trends and developments;
Facts, figures and statistics;
Industry and regulatory issues;
Infrastructure developments;
Major Players, Revenues, Subscribers, ARPU, MoU;
Mobile Voice and Data Markets;
Broadband (FttP, DSL, cable, wireless);
Mobile subscribers and ARPU;
Broadband market forecasts;
Government policies affecting the telecoms industry;
Market liberalisation and industry issues;
Telecoms operators – privatisation, IPOs, acquisitions, new licences;
Mobile technologies (GSM; 3G, HSPA, LTE, 5G).

Researcher:- Henry Lancaster
Current publication date:- December 2018 (17th Edition)

Executive Summary

Brazil gains further increases in bandwidth

The Brazilian fixed-line market in recent years has been adversely affected by consumers substituting services for mobile and VoIP solutions. The number of fixed lines continues to fall slowly, despite gains in the VoIP sector. Internet connectivity in Brazil is provided by a number of submarine cables to the USA, Central and South America, Africa and the Caribbean. New cable systems are due to come into service which will increase bandwidth and push down broadband prices for end-users. Investments are ongoing into extensive terrestrial cables between Brazil, Argentina and Chile which will connect to the EllaLink cable and provide a link between Sao Paulo and both Lisbon and Madrid.

The bulk of the telecom market is divided between a few key operators, including Telefónica Brasil, América Móvil’s local unit Claro, and Oi. Operators have had to contend with a harsh economic environment which has reduced consumer discretionary spend.

Brazil has one of the largest mobile markets in Latin America. All four major mobile operators (Telefónica’s Vivo, Claro Brasil, TIM Brasil and Oi) are expanding their LTE networks to capitalise on consumer demand for mobile data services. LTE by late 2018 provided near universal pop coverage. Investment is ongoing in 5G, while the government has also made available spectrum in the 700MHz band (previously allocated to TV broadcasters) for mobile broadband. About 70% of this spectrum had been released by broadcasters by late 2018.

The mobile subscriber base grew rapidly for a number of years, in line with the increasing footprint of mobile networks, but since late 2015 the subscriber base has fallen steadily. This has partly been due to operators cancelling dormant SIM cards, as also to pricing competition which eroded the need among some consumers to hold SIM cards from different providers so take advantage of cheaper on-net offers.

Brazil also has one of the largest broadband markets in the region, though broadband penetration is average. Oi is the leading broadband network operator, closely followed by Net and Vivo. The fibre segment has shown the strongest growth during the last two years, reflecting efforts among providers to extend their networks. Telefónica in particular has an extensive investment program and is exploiting its experience in developing fibre infrastructure in Spain.

This report provides a review of Brazil’s telecom market including infrastructure and the regulatory environment. It also profiles the main fixed-line operators and provides relevant statistics and analyses. The report in addition reviews the fixed and fixed-wireless broadband segments, accompanied by market statistics, analyses and subscriber forecasts. The mobile voice and data markets are also examined, including assessments on operator strategies and the development of emerging technologies.

Key developments:

TIM Brasil acquires the MVNO Porto Seguro Conecta;
Nextel closes down its iDEN network;
Algar Telecom launches LTE-A services;
Vodafone Brazil rebrands as ARQIA;
EU and Brazil sign cooperation agreement to develop 5G technologies;
GlobeNet and Facebook start laying the 2,500km Malbec cable;
SAIL submarine cable running between Brazil and Cameroon completed;
Government approves an additional R$15.1 billion for National Broadband Plan;
Oi to invest R$24 billion through to 2019 in LTE and fibre infrastructure;
Net Serviços launches a 500Mb/s service for the residential market;
Report update includes the regulator's market data to September 2018, operator data to Q3 2018, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Telefônica Brasil/Vivo, TIM Brasil, Claro, Oi, Nextel Brasil, CTBC/Algar Telecom,; Sercomtel Celular, Vodafone Brazil/ARQIA, Embratel, GVT, Universo Online (UOL), Net Serviços de Comunicação, Intelig, Neovia, Eletropaulo Telecom, Copel, BuscaPé, Global Crossing, Star One, TelesatBrasil, Hispamar, Telebrás, Intelig

Henry Lancaster

December 2018

Key statistics

Country overview

Telecommunications market

Historical overview
Market analysis

Regulatory environment

Regulatory developments
General Plan for Updating Telecom Regulations (PGR)
Regulatory authority

Anatel

Privatisation of Telebrás
Telecom sector liberalisation in Brazil
General Competition Plan
Concessions and authorisations
Mirror companies
Universal service goals
Government telecom funds (Fust, Fistel, and Funttel)
Number Portability (NP)
Access
Interconnection
Fixed-line contract renewal – 2006
Fixed-line contract renewal – 2011

Fixed network operators

Overview of fixed network market
Oi (Telemar)
Vivo (Telefônica Brasil)
Embratel (Claro)
Global Village Telecom (GVT)
TIM Brasil
CTBC/Algar Telecom
Sercomtel

Telecommunications infrastructure

National telecom network

Fixed-line statistics

International infrastructure

Submarine cable networks
Satellite networks

Infrastructure developments

Amazon cable
Very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks

Smart infrastructure

Smart meters/smart grids

Broadband market

Introduction and statistical overview

Market analysis
Broadband statistics
Forecasts – fixed broadband market 2018; 2020; 2022
Digital inclusion and GESAC
National broadband plan

Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) networks
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks
Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) networks
Other fixed broadband services

Fixed wireless

Mobile communications

Market analysis
Mobile statistics

General statistics
Mobile data
Mobile broadband
Forecasts – mobile market - 2018; 2020; 2022

Regulatory issues

Mobile spectrum allocation and concession areas
Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
Roaming
Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs)
Network sharing
Tower infrastructure

Mobile infrastructure

Analogue networks
Digital networks
Other infrastructure developments

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

Introduction
Vivo (Telefónica Brasil)
TIM Brasil
Claro Brazil
Oi
Nextel Brasil
CTBC/Algar Telecom
Sercomtel Celular
Unicel/Aeiou (defunct)
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)

Mobile content and applications

M-commerce
M-banking

Mobile handsets

List of Tables

Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities - Brazil – 2018 (e)
Table 2 – Evolution of GDP in Brazil – 2000 – 2018
Table 3 – Telecommunications revenue – 2000 – 2018
Table 4 – Proportion of telecom revenue by segment – 2000 – 2017
Table 5 – Telecom revenue by segment – 2005 – 2017
Table 6 – Telecommunications investment – 2000 – 2017
Table 7 – Proportion of telecom investment by segment – 2000 – 2014
Table 8 – Fixed lines in service – operators’ market share – 2006 – 2018
Table 9 – Oi revenue by service – 2012 – 2018
Table 10 – Oi EBITDA, capex (Brazil) – 2012- 2018
Table 11 – Oi – fixed lines in service – 1999 – 2018
Table 12 – Vivo – fixed lines in service – 1999 – 2018
Table 13 – Claro Brazil – fixed lines in service – 2006 – 2018
Table 14 – Claro Brazil – fixed-line RGUs – 2013 – 2018
Table 15 – Claro Brazil – fixed-line revenue – 2013 – 2018
Table 16 – Vivo (GVT) financial data (historic) – 2012 – 2014
Table 17 – Vivo (GVT) revenue by service (historic) – 2012 – 2013
Table 18 – Vivo (GVT) – fixed lines in service (historic) – 2006 – 2015
Table 19 – TIM Brasil – fixed lines in service – 2012 – 2018
Table 20 – Algar Telecom – fixed lines in service – 2012 – 2018
Table 21 – Historic - Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 – 2009
Table 22 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 2010 – 2018
Table 23 – International internet bandwidth – 2004 – 2016
Table 24 – Historic - Internet users and penetration – 1998 – 2009
Table 25 – Internet users and penetration – 2010 – 2018
Table 26 – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2001 – 2018
Table 27 – Internet access market share by platform – 2005 – 2015
Table 28 – Share of fixed/fixed wireless broadband subscriptions by platform – 2010 – 2015
Table 29 – Broadband operators’ market share – 2003 – 2018
Table 30 – Fixed broadband connections by speed – 2014 – 2017
Table 31 – Forecast broadband subscribers –2019; 2021, 2023
Table 32 – Average broadband access speed (download) – 2007 – 2017
Table 33 – Cable modem subscribers and penetration – 2001 – 2018
Table 34 – DSL subscribers and penetration – 2001 – 2018
Table 35 – Oi – broadband subscribers – 2001 – 2018
Table 36 – Net – broadband subscribers – 2001 – 2018
Table 37 – Vivo – broadband subscribers – 2001 – 2018
Table 38 – GVT – broadband subscribers – 2004 – 2015
Table 39 – TIM Brazil broadband subscribers – 2012 – 2018
Table 40 – Algar Telecom broadband subscribers – 2009 – 2018
Table 41 – Telefónica/Vivo FttP homes passed and connected – 2008 – 2015
Table 42 – Telefónica/Vivo FttP/C connections – 2014 – 2018
Table 43 – Fibre broadband subscribers – 2008 – 2018
Table 44 – Wi-Fi hotspots in service – 2013 – 2016
Table 45 – Satelite broadband connections – 2014 – 2018
Table 46 – Historic - Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 1997 – 2009
Table 47 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 2010- 2018
Table 48 – Mobile prepaid/postpaid ratio – 2003 – 2018
Table 49 – Evolution of mobile ARPU in Brazil – major operators – 2009 – 2017
Table 50 – Mobile broadband subscribers – 2008 – 2018
Table 51 – Average mobile broadband speed – 2009 – 2016
Table 52 – Mobile broadband accesses by major operator – 2013 – 2018
Table 53 – Mobile broadband accesses by minor operator – 2013 – 2018
Table 54 – Mobile broadband market share by operator – 2009 – 2018
Table 55 – Forecast mobile subscribers – 2019; 2021; 2023
Table 56 – Annual mobile numbers ported – 2008 – 2016
Table 57 – Mobile market share by technology – 2004 – 2018
Table 58 – LTE subscribers – 2013 – 2018
Table 59 – LTE subscribers by operator – 2013 – 2018
Table 60 – LTE subscriber market share by operator – 2014 – 2018
Table 61 – LTE geographic and population coverage by operator – 2017
Table 62 – Vivo LTE subscribers and penetration – 2015 – 2018
Table 63 – Vivo mobile data traffic – 2015 – 2018
Table 64 – 3G municipal coverage – 2008 – 2017
Table 65 – 3G subscribers and market share of all mobile subscribers – 2008 – 2018
Table 66 – GSM subscribers – 2007 – 2018
Table 67 – M2M terminals – 2008 – 2018
Table 68 – Mobile operators’ market share of subscribers – 2002 – 2018
Table 69 – LTE subscriber market share by operator – 2014 – 2017
Table 70 – Vivo mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2018
Table 71 – Vivo/Telemig– mobile subscribers (historic) – 2002 – 2007
Table 72 – Historic - Vivo mobile revenue (R$) – 2010 – 2015
Table 73 – Vivo financial data (€) – 2013 – 2018
Table 74 – TIM Brasil – mobile financial data – 2009 – 2018
Table 75 – TIM Brasil – mobile financial data (€) – 2014 – 2018
Table 76 – TIM Brasil – mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2018
Table 77 – Claro Brazil mobile revenue – 2010 – 2018
Table 78 – Claro Brazil – mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2018
Table 79 – Oi mobile revenue – 2012 – 2018
Table 80 – Oi – mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2018
Table 81 – Oi/Amazônia/BrT – mobile subscribers –2002 - 2008 (historic)
Table 82 – NII Holdings mobile revenue (R$) – 2011 – 2015
Table 83 – Nextel Brazil revenue ($) – 2010 – 2018
Table 84 – Nextel Brazil – mobile subscribers – 2002 – 2018
Table 85 – Nextel Brazil – mobile subscribers by type – 2015 – 2018
Table 86 – Algar Telecom mobile revenue – 2009 – 2018
Table 87 – Algar Telecom mobile subscribers – 2003 – 2018
Table 88 – Sercomtel – mobile subscribers – 2003 – 2018
Table 89 – MVNO subscribers – 2012 – 2018
Table 90 – Port Seguro mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2018
Table 91 – ARQIA mobile subscribers – 2013 – 2018
Table 92 – Handset and smartphones sales – 2011 – 2017
Table 93 – Domestic mobile handset production – 2003 – 2014

List of Charts

Chart 1 – Evolution of telecom revenue in Brazil – 2010 – 2018
Chart 2 – Telecom revenue by segment – 2005 – 2017
Chart 3 – Oi revenue by service – 2012 – 2018
Chart 4 – Evolution of fixed lines in service – 2005 – 2018
Chart 5 – Internet users and penetration – 2005 – 2018
Chart 6 – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2005 – 2018
Chart 7 – Broadband market share at a glance – 2003 – 2018
Chart 8 – Cable modem subscribers and penetration – 2001 – 2018
Chart 9 – DSL subscribers and penetration – 2001 – 2018
Chart 10 – Evolution of Brazil’s mobile subscriber base – 2005 – 2018
Chart 11 – Evolution of mobile ARPU in Brazil – major operators – 2009 – 2017
Chart 12 – Mobile operators’ market share of subscribers – 2002 – 2018
Chart 13 – Vivo financial data (€) – 2013 – 2018
Chart 14 – TIM Brasil – mobile financial data – 2009 – 2018

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1 – Map of Brazil
Exhibit 2 – Regions and states of Brazil
Exhibit 3 – Regions and states of Brazil
Exhibit 4 – Regions and States of Brazil
Exhibit 5 – Atlantic Cable System – planned
Exhibit 6 – Geostationary satellites operating in Brazil
Exhibit 7 – Regions and states of Brazil
Exhibit 8 – Subdivision of Brazil into regions and areas
Exhibit 9 – H-band for 3G services – lots, areas, and spectrum winners
Exhibit 10 – Bands for 4G services – blocks, winners, and price/MHz/population
Exhibit 11 – LTE TDD deployments
Exhibit 12 – LTE deployments
Exhibit 13 – 700MHz auction results – 2014
Exhibit 14 – 1800MHz, 1900MHz, 2.5GHz auction bids – December 2015
Exhibit 15 – 3G network launches by operator – 2007 – 2008
Exhibit 16 – Subdivision of Brazil into regions and areas for mobile licensing
Exhibit 17 – Vivo – concessions
Exhibit 18 – TIM Brasil – concession awards for frequency bands A, B, D, E
Exhibit 19 – Claro Brazil – concessions
Exhibit 20 – Oi – concession awards for frequency bands A, D, E, M

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2018 Brazil - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Purchase this Report

Brazil gains further increases in bandwidth

Key developments:

Companies mentioned in this report:

Key statistics

Telecommunications market

Regulatory environment

Fixed network operators

Telecommunications infrastructure

Broadband market

Mobile communications

Purchase this Report

Share this Report

TMT Intelligence

A platform to scale your intelligence tasks

Research Methodology

Hot Topics

News & Views