NTL Ireland saw revenues increase 21 per cent in 2003 to £72 million (€107.6 million) from £59.9 million the previous year. Profits at the Irish division grew 71 per cent, to £25.4 million from £14.8 million.

NTL said stronger turnover was fuelled by demand for digital subscriptions, a January price rise and beneficial exchange rates.

Earnings also include a one-off fourth quarter windfall after the Supreme Court ruled the Revenue Commissioners were wrong to levy VAT on some services provided by NTL.

However, NTL's analogue subscriber base fell, hitting turnover.

The company had 344,300 residential customers by the end of the year.

Digital users were up 11,700 to 71,300.

Mr Graham Sutherland, managing director of NTL Ireland, said: "We are delighted with the overall financial performance of NTL Ireland in 2003."

He added: "These robust results show a business that continues to significantly improve revenues and segment profits and we look forward to further network and product investment in 2004, and in particular a focus on broadband and digital TV expansion," he added.

NTL Incorporated, its parent, said its net loss for the year ended December 2003 decreased to £583.6 million from £1.581 billion the previous year. Revenues increased to £2.23 billion from £2.173 billion, reflecting continued broadband and telephony customer growth.

In January 2003, NTL, which has its business interests in Europe but is headquartered in New York, emerged from bankrupcy after swapping $10.9 billion (€10.3 billion) of debt for new equity. NTL filed for protection from creditors in May 2002.