upc cablecom boosts revenue
May 7, 2013
Switzerland’s upc cablecom increased its subscriber base in the first quarter of 2013 with growth of 21,600 new subscribers for broadband Internet. Revenue also increased sharply, driven by higher customer numbers increasing by 5.1 per cent to CHF 303.3 million (€248m). More than 55,000 Swiss households are now using the Horizon multimedia platform launched in January.
Horizon was among the factors contributing to upc cablecom’s strong overall performance in the first quarter of 2013. The new television platform, launched in Switzerland at the beginning of January 2013, is proving very popular. To date, upc cablecom has installed more than 55,000 of the devices, which combine digital television, Internet and telephony in one box.
There is also positive news in the Internet area. In the first three months of 2013, upc cablecom recorded more new Internet customers than in any other quarter before. 21,600 new subscriptions were signed during this period, with upc cablecom boasting 626,800 Internet connections via fibre-optic cable as at the end of March. In 2012, the company was already attracting a clear majority of all new Internet subscribers. This year upc cablecom is introducing a new, cutting-edge product with Internet speeds of up to 500 Mbit/s in the city of Berne.
Following the abolition of basic digital encryption last November, as of 31 March 2013 the company numbers more than 1.43 million digital TV connections. upc cablecom’s basic connection offers connected households more than 60 digital channels, in all rooms and with no additional box, including in HD quality and, just lately, interactive services such as HbbTV as well.
As of March 31st 2013, upc cablecom numbered just under 80,000 subscribtions more than it had twelve months earlier. Thanks to these higher customer numbers, quarterly revenue compared with the year before increased by CHF 14.8 million or 5.1 per cent to CHF 303.3 million. Growth in the first quarter the year before was only 2.7 per cent.
“I am satisfied with the results,” said upc cablecom’s Managing Director. Eric Tveter. “We offer solid service and high-performance products, which our existing customers value and which deliver a constant stream of new customers, even against tough competition. The big jump in Internet customer numbers makes me proud. Only we are able to offer 150 Mbit/s Internet throughout Switzerland – and many customers appreciate speeds like that.”