The operators that deploy fiber and mobile networks throughout Spain can be counted on the fingers of one hand, but in practice, users can choose between multitude of operators different thanks to the access agreements they have for access one or more of the existing networks.
That is why the main operators such as Movistar, Orange, Vodafone and MásMóvil have practically the same fiber coverage, since in addition to their own fiber deployed, they also have access to the widest network in Spain, that of Telefónica. In mobile coverage, all cover about 99% of the population (not the territory).
But if we talk about low cost brands, MVNOs do not always have access to the same number of real estate units with fiber as the wholesale operator, and although they do have the same range of mobile coverage as the wholesale operator, not all have access to advances such as 5G, HD voice or VOLTE. To clarify, let’s review the agreements between operators and the fine print about fiber and mobile coverage that have brands such as Lowi, Simyo, Digi, Pepephone or Virgin telco among others.
Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and MásMóvil, main operators with their own network
Among the operators that deploy their fiber and mobile networks throughout Spain, and taking into account the wholesale access agreements between them, the fiber and mobile coverage in 2021 is as follows:
Movistar offers its own coverage for 99% of the population with mobile networks, and in more than 26 million real estate units with fiber network.
Vodafone offers its own coverage for 99% of the population with mobile networks, and in more than 26 million real estate units with fiber network, which it achieves thanks to its own deployment and the agreement with Movistar.
Orange offers its own coverage for 99% of the population with mobile networks, and in more than 26 million real estate units with fiber network, which it achieves thanks to its own deployment and the agreement with Movistar.
MoreMobile / Yoigo offers mobile coverage for 99% of the population thanks to its own network, a priority agreement with Orange, and another agreement with Movistar. With fiber offers service in more than 26 million real estate units, which it achieves thanks to its own deployment, and agreements with Orange, Onivia and Movistar.
O2 uses Movistar coverage
O2, the OMV (or low cost brand) of Telefónica, uses exactly the same fiber and mobile coverage as Movistar, although the conditions of those combined with fiber differ depending on whether or not you are in one of the cities classified by the CNMC as competitive areas.
Lowi uses coverage from Vodafone, and also Movistar on fiber
Lowi, Vodafone’s OMV, uses exactly the same same fiber and mobile coverage as VodafoneTherefore, in fiber, in addition to access to its own HFC + FTTH coverage, it also uses Movistar’s fiber network where it does not have coverage with its own access, and it does so with the same conditions and prices.
Simyo uses Orange coverage
Simyo, the OMV of Orange, uses only the Orange’s own fiber and mobile coverage, so it loses access to Movistar’s indirect fiber network.
Pepephone uses MásMóvil coverage
Pepephone, MasMóvil’s OMV, uses the same mobile coverage of MásMóvil (including access to the Orange and Movistar network), while in fiber it has access to own deployment and shared with Orange / Onivia.
Virgin telco uses Orange coverage, and also Movistar in fiber
Virgin telco, the MVNO with which the Euskaltel Group made the leap to all of Spain, and which will soon be part of the MásMóvil Group, uses its own coverage Orange for fiber and mobile, but it also complements it with access to fiber from Movistar and its own deployment in the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia.
Digi uses Movistar coverage
Digi, the independent MVNO that has grown the most for months, offers its services mainly thanks to the Movistar mobile coverage, and Movistar fiber coverage, although in this case not in the same towns as Telefónica as it is an access through Local NEBA, with agreements by municipality.
But in addition, Digi has begun to install its own fiber network in some cities, and to those that it offers smart fiber, with discounted prices.
All operators and their fiber and mobile coverage
Summarizing all of the above, and completing with information such as the 5G availability, the fiber and mobile coverage of MVNOs in Spain is as follows:
Mobile coverage | Fiber coverage | |
---|---|---|
Movistar | 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G Movistar. | FTTH Movistar. |
Vodafone | 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G Vodafone. | HFC Ono |
Orange | 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G Orange. | FTTH Orange |
Yoigo | 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
O2 | 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G Movistar. | FTTH Movistar. |
Lowi | 2G, 3G, and 4G Vodafone. | HFC Ono |
Simyo | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Orange |
Pepephone | 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Digi | 2G, 3G, and 4G Movistar. | FTTH Digi with discounted price |
Virgin telco | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Euskaltel |
Finetwork | 2G, 3G, and 4G Vodafone. | HFC Ono |
Amena | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Orange |
Jazztel | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Orange |
MoreMobile | 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Call now | 2G, 3G, and 4G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Oléphone | 2G, 3G, and 4G Vodafone. | HFC Ono |
SUOP | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Orange. |
Lemmon | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Orange. |
Jetnet | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Orange. |
Tell me | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Orange. |
Adamo | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | FTTH Adamo. |
Oceans | 2G, 3G, and 4G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Netllar | 2G, 3G, and 4G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Mobilfree | 2G, 3G, and 4G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Avatel | 2G, 3G, and 4G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Jiayu mobile | 2G, 3G, and 4G MásMóvil. | FTTH More Mobile |
Lycamobile | 2G, 3G, and 4G Movistar. | – |
Lebara | 2G, 3G, and 4G Vodafone. | – |
ION mobile | 2G, 3G, and 4G Movistar. | – |
Hits mobile | 2G, 3G, and 4G Vodafone. | – |
Lobster | 2G, 3G, and 4G Movistar. | – |
Xenet | 2G, 3G, and 4G Orange. | – |