Public contracts boost UPC

Public sector contracts were one of the key drivers of UPC’s strong growth figures, according to the internet and telecoms service provider’s fourth-quarter results.

A note on UPC’s results said: “The fourth quarter delivered another strong performance for the business services division. During the year, our growth has been broadly based on significant gains in data across the medium large enterprise and public sector,” a spokesperson for UPC said. “We won a number of sizeable government tenders to supply multi-site data connectivity and voice services.”

The digital TV, phone and broadband provider reported an impressive set of growth figures which included adding 100,800 subscribers in 2011.

Dana Strong, head of UPC Ireland, said: “UPC is one of Ireland’s leading multinational partners. It continues to support business and economic growth while promoting the benefits of digital inclusion in society with highly competitive, superfast internet access and the most innovative and enjoyable entertainment products and services.”

UPC is part of Liberty Global, an international cable operator offering video, telephone, and broadband internet services. In their fourth quarter report Liberty Global noted that, despite the economic downturn, Ireland was their fastest growing market. In 2011 Ireland delivered rebased revenue growth of 11%, outstripping growth of 8% in Germany and Poland.

UPC fibre power broadband subscribers increased by 56,200, ending the year with 255,400 subscriptions — a growth rate of 28%.

The demand for faster broadband is being driven by consumers using multiple devices often simultaneously with others in the same household.

The home-phone subscriptions grew by 68% taking home-phone users to 162,200.