The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has confirmed the preeminent role of Telefónica, Orange, Vodafone and Digi in the fixed-line and mobile telephony markets in Spain, according to the most recent data from 2024. In these sectors, four operators maintain their leadership, but the fifth place shows a notable divergence: Colt preserves its position in the field of fixed-line telephony, while Wewi Mobile (Finetwork) has managed to oust Aire Networks in the mobile market, according to the regulator's announcement.
This reconfiguration is based on the number of subscriber lines, a criterion considered by the regulator as a faithful reflection of the real market share. According to the CNMC, Wewi Mobile (Finetwork) has overtaken Aire Networks, guided by data from the recent 2024 economic-sectoral report, published in July 2025.
Despite these moves, the fixed-line competitive landscape remains stable, with Telefónica, Orange, Vodafone ONO and Digi leading, and Colt in fifth place. However, in the mobile market, Finetwork's entry represents a new competitive dynamic. This inclusion highlights the ability of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to gain market share through effective wholesale models and segmented branding strategies.
It should be noted that the group resulting from the MasOrange merger is not designated as the primary operator, since it does not appear in the Register of Operators, therefore Orange maintains its relevance within the merged group due to its larger market share.
The status of 'principal operator' not only constitutes a recognition, but also activates a series of regulatory restrictions to prevent anticompetitive practices, according to Royal Decree-Law 6/2000. These restrictions affect shareholders with more than 3% of capital in multiple operators within the same market, who must notify the CNMC of which operator they will exercise their full voting rights.
The annual update of this list by the CNMC allows monitoring of significant changes in the market structure and to anticipate future competitive trends, such as the clear consolidation of Digi and the rise of Finetwork in the mobile space, marking a new era in competition within the Spanish telecommunications sector.
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