Expert: Subscriber base of virtual operators to rise 18.6% in 2018

MOSCOW, Dec 19 (PRIME) -- The number of subscribers of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in Russia could increase 18.6% in 2018 to 7 million, researcher TMT Consulting said on Wednesday in a study.

The country had 6.7 million MVNO subscribers as of the end of September. “Russian MVNOs service less than 3% of all mobile subscribers of the country, but their business has been showing advanced growth rates. TMT Consulting expects the number of subscribers of virtual operators to rise 18% over the whole of 2018, while the subscriber base of the total mobile market will remain flat on the year,” the study read.

There have been no changes in the market structure by players: while more than 70 companies are licensed to provide services as MVNOs, but the market is dominated by three companies affiliated with traditional operators.

Owned by MegaFon, Yota is the biggest MVNO in the country with 67% of subscribers. Rostelecom has 16% of MVNO clients, and MGTS 7%.

In the business-to-customer segment, the leaders are the same as on the MVNO market in general, but in the business-to-business segment, whose base is seen at 800,000 users, is led by Rostelecom.

End