UPC grows customer base

Communications and home entertainment company UPC Ireland added more than 100,000 new customers in 2011, growing its subscriber base by 13 per cent, the firm said today.

The company, which offers broadband, home phone and digital television services in Ireland, said it had 886,400 subscribers at the end of 2011.

Broadband customers increased by 28 per cent compared with 2010, rising to 255,400, while home phone subscriptions grew by 68 per cent to 162,200.

Almost all of UPC’s broadband customers are on services with speeds of 20MB or higher,

“Consumers are connecting to richer content on multiple devices often simultaneously with others in the same household, and thereby reinforcing the need to have more bandwidth available for faster speed consumption,” UPC said.

Digital TV, meanwhile, grew 1 per cent year on year, adding 5,000 subscriptions to bring the total number to 386,400.

UPC’s business services division, meanwhile, saw revenue rise by 16 per cent as the company made gains in the public sector, acquired international wholesale voice accounts and won over small businesses and home office workers with 100MB broadband.

The company added 90 positions in customer services, sales, administration and managerial roles. UPC employs 845 people directly and supports more than 1,000 jobs via sub contractors.

“[UPC] continues to support business and economic growth while promoting the benefits of digital inclusion in society with highly competitive, superfast internet access and the most innovative and enjoyable entertainment products and services,” said UPC Ireland chief executive Dana Strong.