UPC Ireland boosts broadband numbers

Telecoms and cable firm UPC Ireland said it had increased its broadband subscribers by 45 per cent last year, bringing the total…

Telecoms and cable firm UPC Ireland said it had increased its broadband subscribers by 45 per cent last year, bringing the total to more than148,000.

Announcing the group's results for last year, the Irish division said it had finished the year strongly, increasing subscribers across its range of services.

UPC Ireland added 10 per cent to its digital TV subscriber base, bringing it to more than 349,000 at the end of the year.

"The digital gains were offset by the anticipated decline in analogue TV reflecting upgrades to digital, competition and broader economic effects," said UPC Ireland's chief executive Robert Dunn.

Telephone subscriptions, meanwhile, grew 116 per cent to 60,300 in 2009. Almost 500,000 houses are now capable of receiving the service.
The company said it had invested more than €400 million to date in its Irish operation to boost broadband speeds, offer high definition television services and provide phone services to consumers.

Mr Dunn said the company had plans to introduce a video on demand service in addition to faster broadband services.

Up to 600,000 homes now have access to 30mbps broadband, and UPC said it will offer services up to 120Mbps.

"These results demonstrate that consumers are responding positively to the compelling propositions delivered by our fibre powered network," said Mr Dunn.

On a group basis, UPC's parent organisation Liberty Global recorded revenue of $11.1 billion, and a 22 per cent rise in operating income increased to $1.6 billion.

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Liberty Global chief executive Mike Fries said 2009 was a successful year, with continued growth despite difficult global economic conditions.