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NTL Telewest reborn as Virgin

And trials 50Mb

NTL Telewest is rebranding to Virgin Media and will start a commercial trial of 50Mb broadband in Kent this month.

Announcing its third quarter results, for the period ended 30 September 2006, the company said revenues had grown to £1,0249m but it made a loss of £104.2m, up from £53.2m in the third quarter of last year.

Broadband subscribers showed strong growth. Gross additions were 265,000, up 13 per cent on the previous quarter. But net additions were 78,100 - down from 104,900 in Q2. Churn increased with disconnects growing by 58,000.

NTL blamed the churn on peak house moves in the third quarter, removal of non-paying customers - some 15,000 - and, finally, some increase in "voluntary churn". There was also the loss of "old NTL" customers who came to the end of their promo period.

The statement also says: "In November, we will be launching a commercial trial of a 50Mb broadband service to paying customers." A spokeswoman for NTL would not elaborate further, but did say the trial will be happening in Kent.

Broadband penetration stands at 25.2 per cent of marketable homes.

From the first quarter of next year ntl Telewest will be known as Virgin Media.

A statement form the company says: "Virgin Media promises to live up to Virgin's long-established reputation for offering world class customer service." Which will make up for NTL's more mixed reputation for caring for its customers.

The company is hoping its "quad-play" - mobile, broadband, TV and telephone - will increase revenues in future.

You can download the results pdf here or go here for more on the Virgin rebranding. ®

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