Published:
16-Jun-08
Alternative fixed-line operator in Poland, Netia, has acquired Ethernet LAN broadband provider, Connect, for PLN 4.5m. Connect uses FastEthernet technology enabling transmission speeds of up to 100Mbit/s and services 2 towns in the North-East of the country. Connect reported 4,630 broadband customers and a network passing 19,300 households as of June 2008.
Our take...
The deal continues Netia's strategy of helping to grow its userbase and infrastructure via acquisition and brings the number of these acquired Ethernet LAN providers since mid-2007 to 14. Together the assumed companies boast around 46,000 customers and pass approximately 155,000 households. Since May 2008, Netia has adopted a strategy of upselling voice services to customers taking only internet access from their previous providers as an additional revenue source.
Netia aims to enlarge its broadband customer base to 1m over the 2008-2011 timeframe. Currently the company claims over 250,000 broadband subscribers using a variety of xDSL, Ethernet LAN and WiMax access connections, making it the largest player in the market after incumbent telco Telekomunikacja Polska (with over 2m broadband customers). Beyond increasing its Ethernet LAN connections via acquisitions, Netia has continued to see relatively strong organic growth in the number of xDSL retail connections.
Poland,
