Videotron announces that results for the first quarter of 2010
represent the 19th consecutive quarter of growth, thanks to an
increase of subscribers for all services.
"Following the exceptional growth we had in 2009, the first
months of 2010 are promising for Videotron," said Robert Depatie,
President and CEO of Videotron. "We were able to offer innovative
products and we continued to meet the needs of our customers who
are increasingly more connected. Above all, we ensured once again
that our customers have the best possible experience, and that has
paid off since they are demonstrating their confidence and loyalty
for our products."
CABLE TELEVISION
As of March 31, 2010, Videotron had 1,785,500 subscribers for
basic cable television service, with a net increase of 8,500
households during the quarter. Of those customers, 1,119,900 use
the illico digital TV, representing growth of 35,900 subscribers
for the quarter and raising its popularity among the company's
cable customers over the past 12 months from 56% to 63%.
Improved television service
During the quarter Videotron improved its digital TV offering
with the addition of new channels including Zeste, Yoopa, Al
Jazeera English and the American children's channel, Playhouse
Disney. The addition of several high-definition services extended
Videotron's leadership in French-language HD channels in Quebec
with a total of 25.
INTERNET
Videotron continued advances in the Internet area and now has
1,191,600 cable modem subscribers. During the quarter ended March
31, 2010, Videotron added 21,100 new households and businesses to
its cable Internet services. Some of these customers took advantage
of the new Videotron Internet services and most recent technology,
DOCSIS® 3.0, with Ultimate Speed Internet 30tm and Ultimate Speed
Internet 50tm.
15 mbps available as of today!
As of today, Videotron customers have even more choice thanks to
the addition of the Ultimate Speed Internet 15tm service that
provides twice the speed and twice the file transfer limit compared
to the very popular High-Speed Internet service, all for the
affordable price of $54.95.
Customers with Basic Internet service also saw download capacity
increase from 2 Gb to 3 Gb as well as improved speed with an
increase from 600 kbps to 1 mbps, at no extra charge.
CABLE TELEPHONE
During the first quarter of 2010 ended March 31, Videotron
recorded growth of 29,000 new subscribers for its cable telephony
service. The company now has 1,043,000 subscribers for this
service. The reliability and quality of the service have made
Videotron a true leader in cable telephony in several regions of
Quebec.
Earthquakes in Haiti and Chile
Following the catastrophes that shook Haiti and Chile during the
first months of the year, Videotron offered free long-distance
calls to the affected countries. Initiatives in support of the
major efforts by the international community provided tangible
assistance for families seeking news about their loved ones.
Videotron provided more than 540,000 overseas calls, totalling more
than 3 million minutes to Haiti and Chile.
WIRELESS TELEPHONY
Wireless telephone service offered by Videotron continued to win
supporters with the activation of 2,500 handsets for a total of
85,300.
Videotron's mobile network
Videotron continued to work rapidly to build its
latest-generation 3.75G mobile network that will give Quebecers
better rates, more choice and additional flexibility in wireless
telephone packages. During the first months of 2010, Videotron
completed installation of the majority of its platforms and
applications. More than 90% of the sites needed for launch were
covered by agreements, and equipment was installed or is in process
on more than 70% of the sites where an agreement has been
reached.
Videotron tests its 3.75G technology
As a result, the company announced on May 7 that it would mark
an important step with some 100 employees testing the overall
services, products and mobile applications soon to be rolled out by
Videotron. The testing period is continuing until Videotron
launches commercially its 3.75G service.
VIDEOTRON AN ECONOMIC FORCE IN QUEBEC
Videotron is a powerful economic force in Quebec, with sustained
investments of several hundreds of millions of dollars in the local
economy, with the execution of major projects such as the
construction of the 3.75G network, the modernisation of its coaxial
cable and fibre optic networks and the creation of hundreds of jobs
every year.
The telecommunications leader announced in early 2010 that it
would again operate a major program to create more than 600 jobs,
in addition to 600 others created in 2009. For more details on
available positions, visit the website: corpo.videotron.com
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 March 31, 2010, Videotron was
serving 1 785 500 cable television customers, including 1 119 900
subscribers to illico Digital TV. Videotron is also the Quebec
leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1 191 600 subscribers to
its cable modem service as of March 31, 2010. As of the same date,
Videotron had activated 85 300 handsets on its wireless telephone
service and was providing cable telephone service to 1 043 000
Quebec households and organizations. For the fifth consecutive
year, Videotron was been named Quebec's most respected
telecommunications company by Les Affaires magazine, based on a
Leger Marketing survey.
Ultimate Speed Internet 15, Ultimate Speed Internet 30 and
Ultimate Speed Internet 50 are trademarks of Videotron Ltd.
DOCSIS® is a registered trademark of Cable Television
Laboratories Inc.
Contacts: Media contact only: Elodie Girardin-Lajoie Media &
Analyst Relations Corporate Communications 514-380-7772 or Mobile:
514 516-7772
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