Following the disclosure of Quebecor Inc.'s financial results for
the third quarter of 2010, Videotron reports growth for all its
services. Videotron is also taking advantage of today's conference
call for financial analysts to report initial results of the mobile
service launch on its new network in September 2010.
"We are very pleased with public response to our products and
services and with the high level of customer satisfaction,
particularly following the launch of our own 3G+ network," said
Robert Depatie, President & CEO of Videotron. "Consumers were
expecting an offering that would break down the longstanding
barriers thrown up by the competition. We are proud to have met
this challenge and to have responded to a record number of calls
and in-store visits. Most of the province now has access to the
fastest 3G+ network, highly advantageous service plans and the
incredible ability to hold a world of information and entertainment
in the palm of one's hand."
MOBILE TELEPHONE SERVICE
After terminating new activations on its Mobile Virtual Network
Operator (MVNO) service and launching its mobile services
commercially on September 9, 2010, Videotron logged 8,400 net
additions to its mobile telephone service in the third quarter,
bringing the total to 95,400 subscriber connections. The numbers
would be higher if Videotron had been able to fully meet the demand
for smartphones.
"Our mobile services have been available to nearly 70% of our
customers since our September launch," said Robert Depatie. "We
will continue building out our network in the rest of the province
in order to achieve our key coverage objectives in Quebec in the
coming months, enabling us to maintain our leadership position in
the Canadian telecom market as a pace-setter, a company that
prefers to break new ground rather than follow the trend."
CABLE TELEVISION
As of September 30, 2010, 1,802,000 households were subscribed
to Videotron's basic cable television service, including 1,182,300
subscribers to the Digital TV service, a net addition of 40,200
customers during the quarter. More than 66% of cable television
customers were subscribed to the Digital TV service, compared with
59% at the same time last year.
illico, the on-ramp to entertainment
After illico Digital TV and illico web, which launched in June
2010 and gives customers full access to their favourite content on
their computer monitors, Videotron has now completed its line of
illico services with the addition of illico mobile. Launched at the
same time as Videotron's 3G+ mobile services, the illico mobile
application offers customers access to news and entertainment on
yet another screen. illico mobile service boasts the largest
catalogue of French-language and Quebec content, with nearly 2,000
free and paid programs and series. It carries 28 television
channels, 14 of them live, in dazzling video quality, as well as 45
Galaxie music channels. It adds up to the largest available
selection of local content and the best value for the money.
No. 1 in HD in Quebec
To offer its cable television customers more choice, Videotron
enhanced its channel line-up during the quarter by adding Speed HD,
MPix HD, MusiquePlus HD, Musimax HD, World Fishing Network (WFN)
and NBA TV. The NBA TV service was launched on all three of
Videotron's platforms. With the latest additions, Videotron now
carries more than 370 channels, including 51 HD channels, 27 of
them in French.
INTERNET ACCESS
During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, Videotron's
Internet access service continued to grow. There are now 1,233,800
subscribers to the cable modem service, a net increase of 32,100
households and businesses.
New product: mobile Internet
Videotron's new mobile Internet service was introduced in
conjunction with the launch of Videotron's mobile services as an
addition to Videotron's Internet offerings, affording users
increased mobility and wider flexibility. The mobile key provides
guaranteed freedom and supports speeds of up to 21 mbps on
Videotron's leading-edge network. And the Dual-Carrier HSPA+
technology will eventually make it possible to achieve mobile
speeds of up to 42 mbps.
Breakneck speed: Ultimate Speed Internet 120™
Since September 22, 2010, Quebec City has been one of the
fastest towns in North America. With Videotron's Ultimate Speed
Internet 120™ service, Quebec City customers can download content
at 120 mbps and upload files at up to 20 mbps. With this new
service, Videotron is breaking new ground in Internet speed and
capacity.
At the same time, Videotron announced that upload speeds on the
Ultimate Speed Internet 50™ service were being doubled from 1 mbps
to 2 mbps, with no increase in rates.
CABLE TELEPHONE SERVICE
Videotron grew its cable telephone service by 32,800 customers
in the third quarter of 2010. Videotron, the leading carrier in
many localities, now has 1,098,100 customers enjoying free
long-distance calling between subscribers. As the customer base
continues to expand, so too does the Videotron community of
residential, business and mobile telephone subscribers who can call
each other free of charge. For details, visit www.videotron.com
30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
In August 2010, Videotron introduced another major improvement
to customer experience by instituting a 30-day full satisfaction or
money back guarantee on all its products. The guarantee makes good
on Videotron's focus on customer satisfaction and attests to the
Company's confidence in the superiority of its products and
services and its determination to keep delivering more.
VIDEOTRON CONTINUES EXPANDING NETWORK
During the quarter, Videotron made a major extension to its
cable network, adding 536 homes passed on Ile d'Orleans to expand
its already solid position in the Quebec City market. As of 2011,
residents of Saint-Francois-de-l'Ile-d'Orleans and
Saint-Jean-de-l'Ile-d'Orleans will have access to Videotron's
quality services.
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,
and Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services.
Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its interactive
Digital TV service and its broadband network, which supports
high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable
television, and other services. As of September 30, 2010, Videotron
was serving 1,802,000 cable television customers, including
1,182,300 subscribers to its digital service. Videotron is also the
Quebec leader in high-speed Internet, with 1,233,800 subscribers to
its cable modem service as of September 30, 2010. As of the same
date, Videotron had 95,400 subscriber connections on its mobile
telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to
1,098,100 Quebec households and organizations. For the fifth
consecutive year, Videotron was named Quebec's most respected
telecommunications company by Les Affaires magazine, based on a
Leger Marketing survey.
Ultimate Speed Internet 120 and Ultimate Speed Internet 50 are
registered trademarks of Videotron Ltd.
Contacts: Elodie Girardin-Lajoie Specialist, Media and Analysts
Corporate Communications 514-380-7772 Mobile: 514-516-7772
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