Mexico's MVNOs growing at healthy rate, says regulator

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) still command less than 1% of the Mexican market, yet have grown faster than in the rest of the region during their start-up phase, according to local regulator IFT.

In the year and a half that MVNOs have been operating in Mexico their market share has grown to 0.7%. In comparison, MVNOs had 0.4% of Chile's market in their first 18 months of operation, and barely 0.1% in Brazil.

Colombia's MVNOs initially had a similar penetration to Mexico's, and now lead the region with a 6.5% share after operating for nearly six years. In Chile, they currently have a 2.1% market share after 3.5 years.

Brazil lags behind, with MVNOs concentrating barely 0.13% of the market after 3.5 years, IFT says.

The outlook for Mexico's MVNOs looks promising, according to analysts, who highlight the need for regulations catering to their unique business models.