UPC Netherlands is feeling the heat of competition as the total number of connected homes stood at 1,592,500 on September 30, 2014.
Of these, 464,300 households still take analogue television only; the number of digital cable subscribers is now 1,125,800, an increase of 5,900. There were 290.000 homes equipped with the Horizon set-top.
The number of homes passed was 2,847,100, which translates into a penetration of 55.9%, down from 56.4% at the end from the second quarter. The downward trend is the effect of increased competition on the market, mainly from KPN’s IPTV service, but also from a number of newcomers to the market.
Total turnover during the quarter was slightly down from €231 million to €228 million, as compared to the second quarter. Operational cash flow as down, from €135 million to €132 million.
By contast, broadband internet connections are up, to 1,107,400. The number of telephony subscribers was 995,800.
During the next few mobths, UPC Netherlands will merge with Ziggo, the country’s largest cable operator, and continue under the Ziggo brand. The two networks serve a total of over 4.3 million TV homes.
