At a Glance: The 5 biggest telecom groups in Brazil

With the acquisition of Nextel, América Móvil’s Claro consolidates its second position in Brazil's telecoms market, distancing itself from TIM, and reducing the gap to Telefônica Brasil, while generating stronger organic growth.

Figures are from regulator Anatel, consultancy Teleco, operators and were compiled by Santander Brasil.

TELEFÔNICA BRASIL (VIVO)

With 43.4bn reais (US$10.3bn) in sales to date this year, Vivo leads in revenue terms in Brazil and has the most solid financials. 

The carrier has 33% of the overall telecom market, taking into account all kinds of services - fixed telephony, mobile telephony, broadband and pay-TV. 

Vivo has presented positive indicators in recent months, despite the high debt of its controller: Q3 revenue grew by 2.6% year over year - the largest growth in three years - and Ebitda margin rose to 41.1% at the end of September.

Vivo leads Brazil's mobile telephony market, with 32.3% of all lines in access.

AMÉRICA MÓVIL (CLARO)

América Móvil's Claro Brasil consolidated its second position in the market with the acquisition of Nextel.

Claro delivered 35.6bn reais in revenues to date, with a telecom market share of 27%. When Nextel is included, Claro's participation rises to 29% and combined revenue reaches 37.9bn reais.

The company's Ebitda hit 38.3% in Q3, up 5.8 percentage points over the same quarter in 2018. In the quarter, the company's revenues grew by 1.7% year-over-year.

Claro leads Brazil's fixed broadband and pay-TV markets, with 29.2% and 49.7% of accesses, respectively. 

OI

Owner of the largest fixed infrastructure and fiber backbone in the country, debt-ridden Oi's revenues amount to 21.8bn reais so far this year, according to the figures from Santander. The company has 16% of the country's telecom market.

Oi has been struggling in recent quarters on all fronts, with declining revenues and the Ebitda margin. Its Q3 earnings will be released only in December.

In Q2, Oi's revenues fell by 8.2% year-over-year, with Ebitda margin declining by 4.3 percentage points to 23.9%

Oi is in bankruptcy protection since June 2016 and is looking to divest non-core assets and participation in companies to reduce its debt. The Rio de Janeiro-based carrier is reportedly close to sign a deal to sell its stake in Angolan telco Unitel. 

Meanwhile, rumors abound that Oi is on track to be acquired - partially or in totality - by one or more of its competitors.

TELECOM ITALIA (TIM)

Telecom Italia's TIM Brasil is the fourth biggest telecom player in the country, with some 17bn reais year-to-date revenues and a 13% market share.

TIM has traditionally fought neck-and-neck with Claro for the second position of the mobile telephony market. Nextel's base, however, now gives more advantage to the latter.

In Q3, TIM's revenues increased by 2.3% year-over-year, second only to Vivo in growth terms. Its Ebitda margin rose 1.7 percentage point in the period and reached 39.6%.

The company is among those openly voicing it would be interested in Oi's assets, particularly spectrum, if they were up for grabs.

AT&T (SKY)

Controlled by AT&T's DirecTV, Sky is the major provider of satellite pay-TV in the country and the second pay-TV force after Claro. It also offers residential broadband services.

The company's revenue amounts to 7.74bn reais so far this year. It has 6% of the country's telecom market.

In Q3, revenues dropped 4.4%. Ebitda figures are not available.