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Cable Technology Feature Article

August 16, 2010

Ultimate Speed Internet and illico Web Enable Videotron's Expansion

By Mini Swamy, TMCnet Contributor


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.

The financial results reported for Q2 indicate a sustained year-to-date growth, a fitting testimony to the company's commitment to customer needs and satisfaction.

Robert Depatie, president and CEO, Videotron (News - Alert) attributed this growth to the introduction of Ultimate Speed Internet 15 and illico Web, which has enabled Videotron to expand its service offerings, providing the flexibility that the customer demanded.

Depatie further added that the upcoming launch of the new 3G mobile network would add a vital component to the company's portfolio of innovative technology products, and the company was headed to creating the most competitive and comprehensive network that customers had ever seen.

As of June 30, 2010, Videotron was providing basic cable television service to 1,781,500 households, including 1,142,000 subscribers to the Digital TV service. This indicated that more than 64 percent of cable television customers had opted for digital TV.

For customers who had subscribed to both digital TV and Internet access service,Videotron's Internet television service, illico Web, was provided free since June 16, 2010. Customers access illico web online through a highly user-friendly portal, and the site has had more than 245, 000 visitors.

As an added incentive, the service carries thousands of French-language and English-language titles from 32 television channels. It also supports remote programming of the customer's Personal Video Recorder.

Videotron's cable Internet access service has been growing very rapidly, and its customer base has increased by 10,100 during the second quarter of 2010. The introduction of the Ultimate Speed Internet 15 in the month of May is expected to find more customers using the DOCIS3 technology that is already available. With an increase in the speed of service, and a raise in the file transfer capacity from 2 GB to 3GB in March 2010, Videotron is expecting dramatic results in the form of new customer acquisitions.

During the second quarter of 2010, the number of subscribers to Videotron's cable telephone service increased by 22,300 to a total of 1,065,300. The steadily growing service offers free long-distance calls between Videotron customers and substantial cost savings for customers.

Wireless telephone services also witnessed an increase, as the number of activated handsets kept rising to 87,000. Application development for the mobile network and extensive business testing are in various stages of build-out, and agreements have been signed for the launch.

Videotron is steadfast in its commitment to provide complete customer satisfaction and deliver the best possible technology and entertainment experience. It does appear that Videotron is burgeoning on all fronts and is all set for tremendous growth.

Videotron Ltd., 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 wireless telephone services.


Mini Swamy is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Juliana Kenny