United Internet DSL subs boosted by freenet takeover

German ISP United Internet (1&1) has announced a 3.7% year-on-year rise in revenue for the first half of 2009 to EUR844.5 million (USD1.9 billion). The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) totalled EUR174.2 million, up 1.4% year-on-year, while EBIT also rose 1.4% to reach EUR148 million at 30 June 2009. Including around 700,000 of freenet’s DSL contracts, the number of United Internet’s total subscribers grew to 9.05 million during the first half of 2009, up from 7.95 million a year earlier. The company reported a total of 3.47 million DSL customers, up from 2.97 million a year earlier, as well as 1.58 million all-inclusive DSL package subscribers and 1.89 million resale DSL customers. Germany’s Federal Cartel Office (FCO) approved United Internet’s takeover of the DSL unit of freenet without imposing restrictions in July 2009. The migration of freenet customers is expected to be fully completed during the course of the year.