Brazilian 4G market sees steady growth

The 4G market in Brazil has seen a growth of 32.1 percent with 730,500 mobile phones lines sold so far, according to local telecoms body Anatel.

The numbers account for phone lines equipped for fourth-generation spectrum sold from May, when 4G commercial offerings were launched, until the end of October. Anatel predicts that by December, 4 million people will be using the technology in Brazil.

Out of the four largest mobile operators in the country, Vivo retains the lead with a market share of 40.1 percent, with 293,200 customers using handsets compatible with the technology - this is a 31,3 percent rise on the September sales figures. TIM ranks second with a market share of 28.4 percent with 208,050 4G customers and an increase of 33.7 percent over the previous month.

Mobile operator Claro ended the month of October with 148,100 4G customers and Portugal Telecom-owned Oi had 80,900 4G clients in its books. That represents a month-on-month increase in 4G customers for both companies of 33,3 percent and 29,6 percent respectively.

The 4G market in Brazil is also attracting foreign entrants. In August, Hungarian multimillionaire George Soros announced a R$500mi ($150mi) investment in the development of his 4G provider On Telecom.  The company is currently offering 4G LTE "fixed" residential broadband services in São Paulo.