Despite the difficult economic environment, Videotron recorded
growth for all its products in 2009. The year's highlights included
completion of the roll-out of the Ultimate Speed Internet 30(TM)
and Ultimate Speed Internet 50(TM) services, making Videotron the
first telecommunications provider in North America to offer DOCSIS®
3.0-based Internet access throughout its service area. Among
notable successes, Videotron passed the million-customer milestones
for both its illico Digital TV and cable telephone services, while
maintaining an overall customer satisfaction rate of more than
96%(1). Meanwhile, Videotron continued making very significant
investments in Quebec and created hundreds of jobs with, among
other things, the opening of its new Customer Contact Centre in
Joliette and the build-out of its new HSPA (High Speed Packet
Access) advanced wireless services network, which will be
operational in 2010.
Strong results
As of December 31, 2009, Videotron had 1,777,000 subscribers to
its cable television service, including 1,084,100 subscribers to
illico Digital TV; 1,170,600 subscribers to its cable Internet
access service; 1,014, 000 cable telephone customers; and 82,800
activated handsets on its wireless telephone service.
"We have every reason to be pleased with our string of successes
in 2009," said Robert Depatie, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Videotron. "I am proud of our people, who have
solidified Videotron's leadership in Canada's telecom
industry."
illico Digital TV: more than a million fans
Videotron's cable television service continued registering
healthy growth in 2009, increasing its customer base by 61,400 to
1,777,000. The number of subscribers to illico Digital TV increased
by 156,800 during the year, pushing the total past the million mark
in August and to 1,084,100 at December 31, 2009, compared with
927,300 at the same date in 2008. As of December 31, 2009, 61% of
Videotron's cable television customers had signed up for the
digital service, compared with 54% at the end of 2008.
The freedom and range of choices offered by illico on Demand,
which carried more than 6,000 titles in the course of the year,
proved increasingly popular with Quebecers. The video on demand
service has registered unprecedented growth in recent years,
logging 45 million orders in 2008 and more than 60 million orders
are expected in 2009, compared with 10 million in 2005, a 500%
increase in five years.
Among the fastest Internet services in the land
As of December 31, 2009, there were 1,170,600 subscribers to
Videotron's cable Internet access service, compared with 1,063,800
at the end of 2008. The numbers confirm Videotron's long lead in
Quebec's Internet market. Consumers responded positively to the
completion of the roll-out of the Ultimate Speed Internet 30(TM)
and Ultimate Speed Internet 50(TM) services across Videotron's
service area. The competitively priced state-of-the-art technology
is now available to more than 3 million Quebec households and
businesses.
One million cable telephone customers
As of December 31, 2009, there were 1,014,000 residential and
business subscribers to Videotron's cable telephone service,
compared with 852,000 one year earlier.
Less than five years after its launch in January 2005,
Videotron's cable telephone service has reached the
million-customer mark. The service has consistently posted record
customer growth figures, achieving a five-year compound annual
growth rate of close to 60%. Quebec consumers are taking full
advantage of the benefits of this alternative to a service that,
for many years, had no true competition.
Wireless telephone service gaining in popularity
As Videotron prepared for the upcoming roll-out of its own
Advanced Wireless Services network, as of December 31, 2009, there
were 82,800 activated handsets on Videotron's wireless service,
compared with 63,400 at the same date in 2008.
"We believe the market is ready and eager to welcome new players
such as Videotron that can deliver advantageous rates and advanced
functionalities," said Robert Depatie. "With the build-out of our
new network and the introduction of our wireless services,
Videotron is helping to build Quebec's economic and technological
future."
More than 600 new jobs created in 2009
"The tough economic conditions of the recent past have not
curbed Videotron's growth," commented Robert Depatie. "In addition
to the positive results we are reporting, we created hundreds of
jobs in 2009 in connection with the build-out of our new wireless
network and the opening of our new Customer Contact Centre in
Joliette. In fact, Videotron was one of the largest private
investors in Quebec's economy last year."
Videotron Ltd. (www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company
engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development,
Internet access services, cable telephony and wireless telephone
service. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its illico
interactive television system and its broadband network, which
supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable
television, and other services. As of December 31, 2009, Videotron
was serving 1,777,000 cable television customers in Quebec,
including 1,084,100 subscribers to illico Digital TV. Videotron is
also the Quebec leader in high-speed Internet access, with
1,170,600 subscribers to its cable modem service as of December 31,
2009. As of the same date, Videotron had activated 82,800 handsets
on its wireless telephone service and was providing cable telephone
service to 1,014,000 Quebec households and organizations. For the
fourth consecutive year, Videotron was been named Quebec's most
respected telecommunications company by Commerce magazine, based on
a Leger Marketing survey.
"Ultimate Speed Internet 30" and "Ultimate Speed Internet 50"
are registered trademarks of Videotron Ltd.
DOCSIS® is a registered trademark of Cable Television
Laboratories Inc.
(1) Source : Leger Marketing, September 2009
Contacts: Media contact only: Eve Lacasse Specialist, Media and
Analysts Corporate Communications 514-380-7772 Mobile:
514-516-7772
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