UPC passes 1m subscription mark

Broadband and TV company UPC Ireland said strong growth in its business continued as it passed the one million subscription mark.

The company, which provides digital TV, home phone and high speed broadband services to customers around Ireland, saw its subscriptions grow by 11 per cent year on year, with 988,700 customers by the end of 2012. This week, it passed the one million milestone.

The company has 383,200 digital TV customers. The launch of UPC's on demand service in May 2012 has also proved successful for the firm, with over 14 million views of the service in eight months.

UPC supplies broadband to more than 304,000 households, recording an 18 per cent year on year growth. The company has invested more than €500 million in its fibre network throughout the country, boosting broadband speeds to 150 Mbps. Last year, it changed the speeds offered on its entry level package to 50Mbps.

Some 238,000 customers now use its phone services, with the service recording 46 per cent growth over the year.

Chief executive Dana Strong said the results demonstrated the strength of the company’s business model.

“Our strategy of focusing on innovative, high quality products at great value is paying off. We are appealing to households who want the best digital experience,” she said. “Independent research shows our customers spend more time online, use more devices and are more satisfied than other broadband customers.”

The company is also turning to business customers to drive growth, unveiling SME bundles for its broadband and phone services this year.