Aussie Broadband overtakes Vocus on internet connections

afr.com:

Aussie Broadband has overtaken the Vocus Group to become Australia’s fourth-biggest provider of broadband services three years after the telecommunications group listed on the sharemarket.

Aussie Broadband, which is aiming for one million internet connections by 2025, told investors last week that it had 731,785 connections at the end of September – almost 8000 more than stockbroker Ord Minnett expected.

The Australian Financial Review understands that Aussie Broadband has edged past Vocus over the past few months in terms of total connections, confirming speculation by Ord Minnett analyst Ian Munro that it has now leapfrogged its nearest rival.

Aussie Broadband has been signing up home and business customers faster than the market leaders, Telstra and TPG Telecom. James Alcock

While Telstra and TPG Telecom still dominate the broadband market, they have lost market share, while the third-biggest provider, Optus, has maintained share. Aussie Broadband, however, has been rapidly gaining share, rising to 8 per cent at the end of September from 7.5 per cent at the end of June, excluding satellite services (which it doesn’t sell).

Vocus, which sells internet services under brands such as Dodo and iPrimus, had a market share of 7.9 per cent, including satellite services, at the end of June. It has not publicly disclosed more recent data.

Formal market share data for the sector will be released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in February and will show whether Aussie Broadband has been able to maintain its lead over Vocus, which is trying to seal an acquisition ofTPG Telecom’s fibre networks.

The broadband services provided by Aussie Broadband at the end of September include business connections as well as