UPC Ireland ups profit, revenues in Q2

Irish fixed line and broadband provider UPC Ireland (including Chorus and ntl) reported increased revenues and profits for the second quarter of this year, according to figures published by its parent company Liberty Global Inc. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, the unit posted revenues of USD89.2 million in the three months under review, up 1.1% on the year-ago quarter, and operating cash flow reached USD35.3 million, up 13.6% year-on-year. At the end of June 2009 the operator counted 121,000 broadband customers, a net gain of 10,200 on the previous quarter and a 36% increase on the same period last year. In addition, the operator added 9,000 new telephony customers, giving a total of 43,800. Analogue CATV numbers fell 18,100 it said, but this was partially offset by an 11,000 increase in digital TV users. The operator’s latest financial report was released as UPC Ireland launches its High Definition TV service, which also includes a Digital + service to enable viewers to pause, rewind and record live television.