About BAIT and Walmart’s Telephony Business
BAIT, a telecommunications and internet company owned by Walmart, concluded the first quarter of 2025 with approximately 19.8 million mobile users under its brand and a revenue of around 2,250 million pesos or $110 million.
Walmart’s Telephony Business Context
Walmart, which rarely discloses details about its telecommunications business in reports to the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV), reported a 65% increase in revenue during the first quarter compared to the same period in 2024. The revenue rose from approximately 1,385.11 million pesos to around 2,250 million pesos.
This growth is attributed to the transparency of information provided by the Mexican Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT).
BAIT’s User and Revenue Growth
BAIT experienced a 48.87% year-over-year increase in its customer base, growing from 13.3 million consumers in Q1 2024 to 19.8 million in Q1 2025.
BAIT’s user base grew by 49% compared to Q1 2024, with an additional 1.5 million users in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024.
Walmart stated that its 19.8 million subscriptions at the beginning of 2025 consist of mobile users and wireless fixed products. A year ago, BAIT reported that its users made 1.5 balance recharges per month.
Challenges in Number Portability
BAIT faced difficulties in number portability during the quarter, receiving 3.52% fewer numbers from other companies and gaining 47.48% more customers than a year ago, resulting in an 81% decrease in net consumer acquisitions through number portability.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is BAIT? BAIT is a telecommunications and internet company owned by Walmart, offering mobile services and wireless fixed products.
- Why is BAIT’s growth significant? BAIT’s substantial user and revenue growth reflects Walmart’s expanding presence in the telecommunications sector, which can impact competition and consumer choices.
- What challenges did BAIT face in Q1 2025? BAIT encountered difficulties with number portability, experiencing a decrease in net consumer acquisitions through this method.
