Kabel Deutschland (KDG) ended a positive quarter for the German cable sector with a 15% increase in revenues. Germany’s largest cable operator, which has also announced a tie-up with mobile operator O2, said it ended Q1 2009 with 806,000 internet and phone customers. The combined penetration of the two product lines now stands at 10%, compared to 6% just one year ago. The package helped take revenues to €1.37 billion as adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year grew by approximately 25% to approximately €571 million, above guidance of €565 million.
Pay-TV RGUs increased by 9.1% to 849,000. When Premiere subscribers are included digital penetration has now reached 20% of the subscriber base.
The total number of RGUs increased by 1.1 million to 11.6 million. The average number of services taken by customers increased from 1.19 to 1.27.
KDG’s co-operation with O2 will allow Kabel Internet & Phone customers can use their mobile phones to telephone and can get access via computer to the Internet inexpensively while on the go. It will be offered alongside KDG’s existing video, telephony and broadband offers. Up to five SIM cards can be issued to subscribers with free calls to the German fixed line network for a €4.99 fee. Mobile Internet is available for a daily rate of €1.99.