The National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has published its annual list of major operators in fixed and mobile telecommunications, highlighting this year the entry of Aire Networks into the top 5 of mobile telephony, with a market share of 0.9%. This inclusion reinforces the positioning of the Aire Group, which has integrated several prominent companies in recent years, such as the cloud infrastructure leader Stackscale, Teradisk, Idecnet, and LCRcom, establishing itself as a key player in the telecommunications sector in Spain.
Leaders in Fixed and Mobile Telecommunications
In the fixed telephony market, Telefónica de España continues to lead with a 41.9% market share, although it slightly loses market share compared to last year. Orange, following its merger with MásMóvil, has significantly increased its share to 33.2%, occupying second place. Vodafone ONO ranks third with a 17.7% share, while Digi Spain maintains fourth place with 2.4%. Colt, on the other hand, returns to the ranking with 1.5%, displacing MásMóvil from the top 5.
In the mobile telephony sector, the merger between Orange and MásMóvil has positioned Orange as the absolute leader with a 41.6% market share. Telefónica Móviles drops to second place with 26.3%, while Vodafone España retains third position with 21.4%. Digi grows to 8.0%, and for the first time, Aire Networks closes the top 5 with 0.9%, standing out as one of the surprises of the year.
The Consolidation of the Aire Group
The entry of Aire Networks into the ranking of major mobile operators reflects the sustained growth of the Aire Group, which has integrated reference companies in various technological and telecommunications fields in recent years. Among them are Stackscale, a leader in cloud infrastructure; Teradisk, specializing in storage solutions; Idecnet, focused on connectivity services; and LCRcom, an operator with a strong presence in the business market. This acquisition strategy has allowed the Aire Group to diversify its offerings and strengthen its competitive position in the sector.
Methodology and Criteria of the CNMC
The CNMC bases its calculation of market shares on the number of subscriber lines to fixed and mobile telephony services, using this data as a key indicator of the actual participation of operators. The figures of the various operators belonging to the same corporate group are also consolidated. In this sense, the recent merger between Orange and MásMóvil has been decisive for Orange to lead both markets in 2024, integrating the shares of both companies.
Regulatory Obligations for Major Operators
Operators designated as major must comply with the provisions of Royal Decree-Law 6/2000, which regulates aspects such as shareholding and voting rights in more than one major operator within the same market. These measures aim to ensure fair competition and prevent anti-competitive practices.
Companies exceeding a 3% share in multiple major operators must notify the CNMC regarding which operator they will exercise their voting rights in without restrictions. Additionally, they cannot appoint members to the governing bodies of more than one major operator without express authorization.
Aire Networks: A New Player to Watch
The entry of Aire Networks into the top 5 of mobile telecommunications marks a milestone for the Aire Group and reflects its consolidation as one of the most dynamic players in the telecommunications market. Its ability to integrate innovative companies and diversify its offerings suggests a significant impact in the coming years, not only in the mobile sector but also in areas such as cloud computing and business connectivity.