Liberty Global met all its growth targets in 2010 and ended the year with 80% of its business focused on Europe. Its performance was particularly impressive in four countries – The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Ireland – which added a combined 283,000 RGUs, representing combined growth of over 250% compared to 2009.
Within the UPC Broadband division, revenues in Q4 2010 amounted to $1,430.0 million (€1,038.2 million) or 28.8% more than a year earlier, while for the year as a whole they stood at $5,310.6 million (+29%).
Operating cash flow in Q4 was meanwhile $708.9 million (+31.8%) and $2,681.6 million (+32%) for the year as a whole. ARPU in 2010 was €22.29 (-5.8%), but excluding Germany’s Unitymedia a higher €25.67 (+8.5%).
In Western Europe, growth in digital cable services was particularly strong in Germany (+42,100), The Netherlands (+38,400) and Switzerland (+33,100) q-o-q in the fourth quarter, while in CEE Poland led the way (+37,000).
In the DTH sector, UPC Direct enjoyed modest growth in its three markets (Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia Q4), with the biggest subscriber growth over the three-month period being in Hungary (+11.800).
However, Romania’s Focus Sat gained a more impressive 28,400 subscribers over the period.
Somewhat surprisingly, one market in the UPC Broadband group (Hungary) posted slight falls in take-up of both its internet (-1,000) and telephony (-1,400) subscribers in Q4.
