The Russian telco Rostelecom is set to become the first fixed-line operator in the country to surpass 10 million pay-TV subscribers.
According to Telecom Daily, the company gained 100,000 in the second quarter and will shortly reach two psychologically important landmarks, namely 10 million pay-TV subscribers, of which half (5 million) will be IPTV.
Telecom Daily adds that growth in Russia’s pay-TV market slowed in Q2, increasing by 190,000 to reach 42.46 million subscribers.
Pay-TV penetration stood at 75% and APRU rose by 1.2% to R172 (€2.35).
Nine out of 10 subscribers opted for services offered by the top five operators, with Rostelecom, Tricolor TV and Orion growing the most.
Tricolor TV, the market leader, gained 40,000 customers to reach 12.24 million.
Rostelecom, on the other hand, accounted for half of new connections, with 80% opting for broadband and TV packages.