Fixed-line broadband penetration in Russia reached 51% in the first half of this year.
At the same time, according to data produced by iKS Consulting and published by AKTR and TelecomDaily, the number of private subscribers reached 28.35 million.
All but one of the leading players (Vimpelcom) gained subscribers, with the most successful (TTC) enjoying a 24% increase year-on-year in the second quarter.
MTS overtook Vimpelcom in terms of subscriber numbers by connecting users to its upgraded FTTB network in the regions and new GPON network in Moscow.
Meanwhile, the cable operator ER Telecom saw its broadband subscriber base grow by 9% year-on-year in the second quarter to 2.8 million.
This continued its recent growth and was down to the construction of networks in different parts of the country.
TMT Consulting believes the Russian broadband market is on the verge of stagnation. It grew by only 1% q-o-q in the second quarter.
It also faces the threat of LTE, which can act as a substitute for fixed access.
