Norwegian cableco Get has reported an increase of 40,000 households over the last 12 months with many homes also choosing to subscribe to the operator’s broadband packages.
Get CEO Gunnar Evensen is attributing the growth to an expansion in the number of partners that now offer Get services to their customers. A total of 13 partners from Kirkenes in the north to Kristiansand in the south, have signed distribution agreements with Get in recent months.
“We have experienced great demand for our services from consumers throughout Norway, but until recently we have only been able to deliver services within our own network. Over the last few years we have however developed new solutions that enable us to deliver services both through HFC and FTTH networks. Get is one of the first cable companies in Europe with this technology,” says Evensen.
Over the past five years invested NOK 1.5 billion in building and developing the network and infrastructure in Norway. In 2009, Get invested NOK 329 million. Operating income increased from NOK 1.297 to NOK 1.452 billion, while profit before tax increased from NOK 254.1 million to NOK 354.7 million.
“HFC networks and fibre networks are equal in both quality and capacity, although some fibre providers argue otherwise. Our products and services work in both types of networks, and the customer experience is therefore independent of technology. It is also a big advantage for us to offer solutions through both technologies, as this allows us to adapt to existing infrastructure and customer demands,” said Evensen.
Get currently has around 410 000 households connected to its network, including the partner customers. Over 90% of the customers are connected to the upgraded, two-way digital TV and broadband network.
