The services will be delivered via cable with UPC Telewizja Kablowa, and via satellite to the existing DTH customers of Wizja TV (owned by UPC). The launch in Poland is consistent with UPC’s triple play strategy of providing voice, video and data services and will add a growing number of subscribers to UPC’s services.
In association with UPC Telewizja Kablowa, Poland’s leading cable operator, chello will be able to deliver its broadband service via cable to 170,000 subscribers by the end of 2000. Initially this will be to homes in the Warsaw and Krakow regions.
The existing UPC DTH customers in the region of Warsaw will be the first in Poland that will enjoy high-speed internet access via Wizja TV, Poland’s first and leading digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) service. Subscribers to Wizja TV, are offered a programming package of 26 channels, most of which are localized thematic channels, and will now have the added option of chello’s high-speed internet data service.
The launch of chello in Poland maintains the impetus of it’s European expansion which has seen the company grow to 8 local language services in 8 European countries this year.
Roger Lynch, president and CEO of chello broadband nv, said: We are very pleased that our launch in Poland can so closely follow our expansion into Hungary, as Central Europeans are demonstrating sustained growth in internet usage. The percentage of Polish internet users is projected to double within the next three years, from 5.4% in 2000 to 10.8% in 2003*, and we will continue to look upon Central Europe as an important part of our expansion programme.
Bruce Massey, chief executive officer of UPC Poland, said: I am pleased to announce the launch of chello service on our cable networks of UPC Telewizja Kablowa and pilot testing of the satellite chello service via Wizja TV. There is a great need for, as well as a lot of interest in, high-speed internet access of good quality in Poland. I am convinced that chello will not only satisfy this need but also prove to be a breakthrough service in the Polish Internet market. The launch of chello strengthens the position of UPC Telewizja Kablowa as a leading and innovative cable operator and of Wizja TV as Poland’s first digital DTH platform offering Internet access.
