Movistar surge: spanish telecom landscape shifts gears
The Spanish telecom market is experiencing a notable realignment, and the early data suggests a clear victor emerging: Telefónica's Movistar. While Digi continues to operate, its rapid expansion appears to be slowing, signaling a potential turning point in the competitive landscape.
Fiber and mobile: movistar’s double win
Preliminary figures, gleaned from sector companies and reported by El Español, reveal a dramatic shift in momentum. Movistar has effectively doubled its net mobile line additions, jumping from 29,000 in early 2025 to a robust 57,000 this year. The data doesn't just reflect growth; it highlights a deceleration in Digi’s previously relentless acquisition pace – a 13% slowdown. That's 26,000 fewer mobile lines added compared to last year, a stark contrast to Movistar's surge.
But the story doesn't end with mobile. Just twelve months ago, Movistar was bleeding fiber customers, losing a significant 17,000. Now, they’ve not only recovered that ground but added an additional 1,600 fiber subscribers. The turnaround, according to industry analysts, is a direct consequence of Telefónica’s strategic focus on highlighting the quality and reliability of its network and services, and capitalizing on its exclusive rights to La Liga football through Movistar Plus+ – a powerful lure for sports enthusiasts.
Digi’s slowdown isn’t limited to mobile. Fixed broadband porting also shows signs of cooling, with net additions dropping from 62,000 to 53,000 between January and March. Vodafone, meanwhile, continues to struggle, reporting a significant loss of 94,000 mobile lines in 2026 after losing 44,000 in 2025. Their fiber performance remains bleak, with an 11,000 line decline this year.
The quality edge: movistar’s secret weapon
What’s truly separating Movistar from the pack? It’s not just about price; it's about service reliability. Independent data reveals Movistar boasts significantly fewer service interruptions and quicker resolution times than Digi - an average of 74 hours less to fix issues. This translates to a superior customer experience, a factor increasingly valued by Spanish consumers.
The competitive pressure is intense. Companies like O2, MasOrange, and Digi are aggressively vying for market share, but Movistar’s strategic investments and focus on quality are paying off. Early indications suggest Telefónica's targeted campaigns, particularly those designed to counteract Digi's aggressive pricing, are proving remarkably effective.
The numbers speak for themselves. Movistar’s resurgence isn’t a fleeting trend; it represents a fundamental shift in the Spanish telecom landscape. The battle for dominance is far from over, but for now, Telefónica has seized the initiative, and the market is watching closely to see if Digi can regain its footing.