MADRID, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The number of broadband internetlines in Spain increased at the fastest pace in almost fouryears in October while mobile connections declined, competitionregulator, the CNMC, said on Friday.
Almost a third of the 106,838 new broadband lines were viafibre optic cables, which saw a 89 percent rise from a yearearlier, the CNMC said.
Overall mobile use fell by 102,213 connections, largely dueto a drop in prepaid services and despite an increase of 210,328connections run by virtual operators, which hold 12 percent ofthe market. Virtual operators sell mobile phone deals but rentthe network from other operators.
The increase in broadband internet lines partly reflectsmoves by telecoms operators, such as Telefonica,Spain's biggest telecoms group, into network-sharing deals, aswell as launching bundled "quadplay" packages mixing mobile,fixed line, internet and TV services to retain clients andbolster revenues in crisis-hit Spain.