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Tag: Rob Marcus

  • Q1-16: Time Warner Cable adds 21K video subscribers; revenue & income up

    Q1-16: Time Warner Cable adds 21K video subscribers; revenue & income up

    BENGALURU:  Following on from the previous quarter’s reversal in subscriber acquisitions, US triple play services player Time Warner Cable Inc., (TWC) reported net addition of 21,000 Video subscribers in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q1-16, current quarter). Last quarter (Q4-15), for the first time since 2006, TWC had reported net video subscriber additions.

    The company reported best ever customer relationship net additionsfor Q1-16across the three services that it provides.Customer relationship net additions for Q1-2016 were 236,000 with Video net additions of 21,000, High-speed data net additions of 314,000 and Voice net additions of 178,000.

    Revenue grew 7.2 percent for Q1-16 to $6,191 million from $5,777 million, the highest first-quarter organic revenue growth in the last 8 years, which TWC says was driven by accelerated growth in Residential Services and strong growth in Business Services.

    Adjusted OIBDA was up 8.2 percent to $2,199 million for Q1-16 from $1,996 million in Q1-15. This again was the highest first-quarter organic Adjusted OIBDA growth in the last 6 years.Operating Income increased 5.6 percent to $1,145 million from $1,094 millionwhich TWC says reflects higher depreciation expense from TWC Maxx and other capital investments.

    Company speak

    TWC chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said: “Our first-quarter results are the clearest indication yet that our efforts over the last 27 months are paying off. We have made our network more reliable, our products more compelling and our customer service far better. We’ve refined our marketing, enhanced our sales channels and strengthened our retention capability. All of that has driven robust customer growth, which in Q1 translated into very strong revenue and OIBDA growth. I couldn’t be prouder of what our talented, committed, passionate team has accomplished.”

    Segment numbers

    Residential Services

    Residential Services revenue in Q1-16 increased as a result of increases in High-speed data, Video and Voice revenue which were driven by growth in subscribers across all the three services. Residential Video and High-speed data were also boosted by higher average revenue per user (ARPU), while Voice revenue growth was offset by lower ARPU.

    Residential Video services revenue increased 1.6 percent year-on-year (YoY) to $2,508 million in Q1-16 as compared to $2,468 million in Q1-15. Residential High speed data revenue increased 11.9 percent YoY in the current quarter to $1,897 million from $1,696 million. Residential Voice revenue increased 6.6 percent YoY to $504 million in Q1-2016 from $473 million. ‘Other’ revenue increased by $one million (4.2 percent) in Q1-16 to $25 million as compared to $25 million in Q1-15.

    Residential Services Adjusted OIBDA increased 5.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 to $2,193 million from $2,087 million driven by the increase in revenue, partially offset by a 6.2 percent increase in operating costs. The increase in operating costs resulted from higher programming, sales and marketing and technical operations costs, partially offset by a decrease in other operating costs. Programming costs per video subscriber increased 8.8 percent in Q1-16 to $46 from $42.28 in Q1-15. Voice costs per voice subscriber declined to $3.30 in the current quarter from $3.68 in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    ARPU

    Total Residential Customer Relationship consolidated ARPU increased 2.5 percent to $129.06 in Q1-16 as compared to $125.94 in Q1-15. NetResidential Customer Relationship ARPU in the current quarter increased 1.4 percent to $107.96 as compared to $106.46 in Q1-15.

    Residential Customer Relationship Video ARPU increased 1.3 percent to $77.25 in Q1-16 from $77.26 in Q1-15. Residential Customer Relationship speed data ARPU increased 3.1 percent in the current quarter to $49.32 from $47.82 in Q1-15. Residential Customer Relationship Voice ARPU in Q1-16 declined 9.6 percent to $26.23 from $29 in Q1-15.

    Business Services

    Business Services revenue (BS) growth was primarily due to increases in high-speed data and voice subscribers and growth in wholesale transport revenue. BS revenue increased 13.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 to $886 million from $781 million in the corresponding quarter of last year.

    The segment’s Adjusted OIBDA grew 11.9 percent YoY to $536 million in the current quarter from $479 million in Q1-15. Adjusted OIBDA increasewas driven by growth in revenue, partially offset by a 15.9% increase in operating costs and expenses, primarily due to increased headcount and higher compensation costs per employee, as well as growth in programming, voice and marketing costs.

    BS Video revenue grew 6.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 $100 million form $94 million. BS High speed data revenue grew 18.9 percent to $447 million in Q1-16 as compared to $376 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. BS Voice revenue in Q1-16 increased 13.4 percent YoY in the current quarter to $161 million from $142 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. BS Wholesale transport revenue increased 7.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 to $130 million from $121 million. ‘Other’ revenue remained flat at $48 million for Q1-16 and Q1-15.

    Other Operations

    Other operations include Advertising. Total revenue from other operations increased 10.6 percent to $244 million in Q1-16 from $230 million in Q1-2015. Adjusted EBIDTA increased 18.4 percent YoY in the current quarter to $193 million from $163 million.

    Advertising revenue in Q1-16 increased 6.1 percent to $244 million from $230 million in Q1-15.  Advertising revenue increased primarily due to growth in political advertising revenue.‘Other’ revenue increased 16.7 percent YoY in the current quarter to $196 million from $198 million.Other revenue increased primarily due to the recognition of approximately $20 million of revenue associated with the settlement of a contractual dispute, as well as an increase in affiliate fees from the Residential Services segment and other distributors of the Los Angeles Lakers’ regional sports networks and SportsNet LA.

     

  • Q1-16: Time Warner Cable adds 21K video subscribers; revenue & income up

    Q1-16: Time Warner Cable adds 21K video subscribers; revenue & income up

    BENGALURU:  Following on from the previous quarter’s reversal in subscriber acquisitions, US triple play services player Time Warner Cable Inc., (TWC) reported net addition of 21,000 Video subscribers in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q1-16, current quarter). Last quarter (Q4-15), for the first time since 2006, TWC had reported net video subscriber additions.

    The company reported best ever customer relationship net additionsfor Q1-16across the three services that it provides.Customer relationship net additions for Q1-2016 were 236,000 with Video net additions of 21,000, High-speed data net additions of 314,000 and Voice net additions of 178,000.

    Revenue grew 7.2 percent for Q1-16 to $6,191 million from $5,777 million, the highest first-quarter organic revenue growth in the last 8 years, which TWC says was driven by accelerated growth in Residential Services and strong growth in Business Services.

    Adjusted OIBDA was up 8.2 percent to $2,199 million for Q1-16 from $1,996 million in Q1-15. This again was the highest first-quarter organic Adjusted OIBDA growth in the last 6 years.Operating Income increased 5.6 percent to $1,145 million from $1,094 millionwhich TWC says reflects higher depreciation expense from TWC Maxx and other capital investments.

    Company speak

    TWC chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said: “Our first-quarter results are the clearest indication yet that our efforts over the last 27 months are paying off. We have made our network more reliable, our products more compelling and our customer service far better. We’ve refined our marketing, enhanced our sales channels and strengthened our retention capability. All of that has driven robust customer growth, which in Q1 translated into very strong revenue and OIBDA growth. I couldn’t be prouder of what our talented, committed, passionate team has accomplished.”

    Segment numbers

    Residential Services

    Residential Services revenue in Q1-16 increased as a result of increases in High-speed data, Video and Voice revenue which were driven by growth in subscribers across all the three services. Residential Video and High-speed data were also boosted by higher average revenue per user (ARPU), while Voice revenue growth was offset by lower ARPU.

    Residential Video services revenue increased 1.6 percent year-on-year (YoY) to $2,508 million in Q1-16 as compared to $2,468 million in Q1-15. Residential High speed data revenue increased 11.9 percent YoY in the current quarter to $1,897 million from $1,696 million. Residential Voice revenue increased 6.6 percent YoY to $504 million in Q1-2016 from $473 million. ‘Other’ revenue increased by $one million (4.2 percent) in Q1-16 to $25 million as compared to $25 million in Q1-15.

    Residential Services Adjusted OIBDA increased 5.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 to $2,193 million from $2,087 million driven by the increase in revenue, partially offset by a 6.2 percent increase in operating costs. The increase in operating costs resulted from higher programming, sales and marketing and technical operations costs, partially offset by a decrease in other operating costs. Programming costs per video subscriber increased 8.8 percent in Q1-16 to $46 from $42.28 in Q1-15. Voice costs per voice subscriber declined to $3.30 in the current quarter from $3.68 in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    ARPU

    Total Residential Customer Relationship consolidated ARPU increased 2.5 percent to $129.06 in Q1-16 as compared to $125.94 in Q1-15. NetResidential Customer Relationship ARPU in the current quarter increased 1.4 percent to $107.96 as compared to $106.46 in Q1-15.

    Residential Customer Relationship Video ARPU increased 1.3 percent to $77.25 in Q1-16 from $77.26 in Q1-15. Residential Customer Relationship speed data ARPU increased 3.1 percent in the current quarter to $49.32 from $47.82 in Q1-15. Residential Customer Relationship Voice ARPU in Q1-16 declined 9.6 percent to $26.23 from $29 in Q1-15.

    Business Services

    Business Services revenue (BS) growth was primarily due to increases in high-speed data and voice subscribers and growth in wholesale transport revenue. BS revenue increased 13.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 to $886 million from $781 million in the corresponding quarter of last year.

    The segment’s Adjusted OIBDA grew 11.9 percent YoY to $536 million in the current quarter from $479 million in Q1-15. Adjusted OIBDA increasewas driven by growth in revenue, partially offset by a 15.9% increase in operating costs and expenses, primarily due to increased headcount and higher compensation costs per employee, as well as growth in programming, voice and marketing costs.

    BS Video revenue grew 6.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 $100 million form $94 million. BS High speed data revenue grew 18.9 percent to $447 million in Q1-16 as compared to $376 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. BS Voice revenue in Q1-16 increased 13.4 percent YoY in the current quarter to $161 million from $142 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. BS Wholesale transport revenue increased 7.4 percent YoY in Q1-16 to $130 million from $121 million. ‘Other’ revenue remained flat at $48 million for Q1-16 and Q1-15.

    Other Operations

    Other operations include Advertising. Total revenue from other operations increased 10.6 percent to $244 million in Q1-16 from $230 million in Q1-2015. Adjusted EBIDTA increased 18.4 percent YoY in the current quarter to $193 million from $163 million.

    Advertising revenue in Q1-16 increased 6.1 percent to $244 million from $230 million in Q1-15.  Advertising revenue increased primarily due to growth in political advertising revenue.‘Other’ revenue increased 16.7 percent YoY in the current quarter to $196 million from $198 million.Other revenue increased primarily due to the recognition of approximately $20 million of revenue associated with the settlement of a contractual dispute, as well as an increase in affiliate fees from the Residential Services segment and other distributors of the Los Angeles Lakers’ regional sports networks and SportsNet LA.

     

  • FY-2015: Time Warner Cable adds net video customers, revenue up 3.9%

    FY-2015: Time Warner Cable adds net video customers, revenue up 3.9%

    BENGALURU: This the first time since 2006 that Time Warner Cable Inc., (TWC) has reported year-over-year nett video subscriber additions. The company closed the year and quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (FY-2015, current year and Q4-2015, current quarter) with 10.821 million video subscribers, 32,000 (0.3 per cent increase) more than the 10.789 million at the close of FY-2014. The additions were made in Q4-2015, when the company added 54,000 subscribers, hence wiping out the fall of 22,000 until 30 September, 2015. In Q4-2015, TWC reported 10.821 million video customers as compared to 10.727 million in Q3-2015 (0.5 per cent increase).

     

    The company closed the current year with 681,000 more customer relationships than in the previous year. Total customer relationships at the end of FY-2015 and Q4-2015 were 15.129 million as compared to 14,511 million (4.3 per cent increase) at the end of FY-2014 and Q4-2015, and 14.929 million (1.3 per cent increase) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Overall revenue and income

     

    The company reported 3.9 per cent growth in revenue in FY-2015 at $23,697 million as compared to $22,812 million in FY-2014. For Q4-2015, TWC reported 4.9 per cent YoY revenue growth at $6,072 million as compared to $5,790 million. Operating income in FY-2015 however declined 8.5 per cent YoY to $4,239 million as compared to $4,632 million in the previous year. Operating Income in the current quarter declined by 8.2 per cent YoY to $1,125 million as compared to $1,226 million.

     

    Company speak

     

    Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said, “I’m incredibly proud of everything we achieved this quarter and in 2015. We made our network more reliable, our products more compelling and our customer service better. And, importantly, our subscriber improvement over the last eight quarters, including our record subscriber performance in 2015, has begun to show up in our financial results. As we begin 2016, we intend to continue to improve the customer experience and build value for our shareholders.”

     

    Segment numbers

     

    Residential video: Residential video revenue in the current year declined 0.9 per cent to $9,907 million as compared to $10,002 million in the previous year. Video revenue in Q4-2015 increased 0.3 per cent YoY to $2,471 million as compared to $2,464 million in Q4-2014. Video Subscription numbers have been mentioned above.

     

    High Speed Data: High Speed Data revenue increased 9.3 per cent in FY-2015 to $7,029 million as compared to $6,428 million in FY-2014. For Q4-2015, the segment’s revenue increased 10.6 per cent YOY to $1,819 million as compared to $1,644 million in Q4-2014. High Speed Data subscribers in FY-2015 increased 8.6 per cent to 12.675 million as compared to 11.675 million in FY-2014. QoQ, relationships increased by 2.3 per cent as compared to 12.394 million in Q3-2015.

     

    Voice: Voice revenue declined 0.1 per cent in FY-2015 to $1,931 million as compared to $1,932 million in FY-2014. In Q4-2015, Voice revenue increased 5.7 per cent YoY to $497 million as compared $470 million. Voice subscribers increased 19.6 per cent in FY-2015 to 6.23 million as compared to 5.284 million in FY-2014. QoQ Voice subscribers increased 3.7 per cent in Q4-2015 as compared to 6.093 million in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Multi-Play: In FY-2015, while single play customers increased 2.2 per cent to 5.75 million from 5.63 million and triple play customers increased 21.9 per cent to 5.31 million from 4.356 million, double play customers declined 10.1 per cent to 4.067 million from 4.525 million in FY-2014. QoQ, Single play customers increased 0.8 per cent, triple play customers increased four per cent, while double play customers declined 1.2 per cent.

     

    Business Services: Business services contribution to TWC’s revenue increased to 13.9 per cent in FY-2015 from 12.4 per cent in FY-2014. Overall Business Services Revenue (BSR) in the current year increased 15.7 per cent to $3,284 million from $2,838 million in FY-2014. Total revenue in Q4-2015 increased 14.4 per cent YoY to $864 million (18 per cent of overall revenue) as compared to $755 million (16.4 per cent of overall revenue). A major portion (a little less than 50 per cent) of BSR comes from high speed data and almost 90 per cent of TWC’s business services subscribers opting for this service.

  • FY-2015: Time Warner Cable adds net video customers, revenue up 3.9%

    FY-2015: Time Warner Cable adds net video customers, revenue up 3.9%

    BENGALURU: This the first time since 2006 that Time Warner Cable Inc., (TWC) has reported year-over-year nett video subscriber additions. The company closed the year and quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (FY-2015, current year and Q4-2015, current quarter) with 10.821 million video subscribers, 32,000 (0.3 per cent increase) more than the 10.789 million at the close of FY-2014. The additions were made in Q4-2015, when the company added 54,000 subscribers, hence wiping out the fall of 22,000 until 30 September, 2015. In Q4-2015, TWC reported 10.821 million video customers as compared to 10.727 million in Q3-2015 (0.5 per cent increase).

     

    The company closed the current year with 681,000 more customer relationships than in the previous year. Total customer relationships at the end of FY-2015 and Q4-2015 were 15.129 million as compared to 14,511 million (4.3 per cent increase) at the end of FY-2014 and Q4-2015, and 14.929 million (1.3 per cent increase) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Overall revenue and income

     

    The company reported 3.9 per cent growth in revenue in FY-2015 at $23,697 million as compared to $22,812 million in FY-2014. For Q4-2015, TWC reported 4.9 per cent YoY revenue growth at $6,072 million as compared to $5,790 million. Operating income in FY-2015 however declined 8.5 per cent YoY to $4,239 million as compared to $4,632 million in the previous year. Operating Income in the current quarter declined by 8.2 per cent YoY to $1,125 million as compared to $1,226 million.

     

    Company speak

     

    Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said, “I’m incredibly proud of everything we achieved this quarter and in 2015. We made our network more reliable, our products more compelling and our customer service better. And, importantly, our subscriber improvement over the last eight quarters, including our record subscriber performance in 2015, has begun to show up in our financial results. As we begin 2016, we intend to continue to improve the customer experience and build value for our shareholders.”

     

    Segment numbers

     

    Residential video: Residential video revenue in the current year declined 0.9 per cent to $9,907 million as compared to $10,002 million in the previous year. Video revenue in Q4-2015 increased 0.3 per cent YoY to $2,471 million as compared to $2,464 million in Q4-2014. Video Subscription numbers have been mentioned above.

     

    High Speed Data: High Speed Data revenue increased 9.3 per cent in FY-2015 to $7,029 million as compared to $6,428 million in FY-2014. For Q4-2015, the segment’s revenue increased 10.6 per cent YOY to $1,819 million as compared to $1,644 million in Q4-2014. High Speed Data subscribers in FY-2015 increased 8.6 per cent to 12.675 million as compared to 11.675 million in FY-2014. QoQ, relationships increased by 2.3 per cent as compared to 12.394 million in Q3-2015.

     

    Voice: Voice revenue declined 0.1 per cent in FY-2015 to $1,931 million as compared to $1,932 million in FY-2014. In Q4-2015, Voice revenue increased 5.7 per cent YoY to $497 million as compared $470 million. Voice subscribers increased 19.6 per cent in FY-2015 to 6.23 million as compared to 5.284 million in FY-2014. QoQ Voice subscribers increased 3.7 per cent in Q4-2015 as compared to 6.093 million in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Multi-Play: In FY-2015, while single play customers increased 2.2 per cent to 5.75 million from 5.63 million and triple play customers increased 21.9 per cent to 5.31 million from 4.356 million, double play customers declined 10.1 per cent to 4.067 million from 4.525 million in FY-2014. QoQ, Single play customers increased 0.8 per cent, triple play customers increased four per cent, while double play customers declined 1.2 per cent.

     

    Business Services: Business services contribution to TWC’s revenue increased to 13.9 per cent in FY-2015 from 12.4 per cent in FY-2014. Overall Business Services Revenue (BSR) in the current year increased 15.7 per cent to $3,284 million from $2,838 million in FY-2014. Total revenue in Q4-2015 increased 14.4 per cent YoY to $864 million (18 per cent of overall revenue) as compared to $755 million (16.4 per cent of overall revenue). A major portion (a little less than 50 per cent) of BSR comes from high speed data and almost 90 per cent of TWC’s business services subscribers opting for this service.

  • Comcast founder Ralph Roberts dies at 95

    Comcast founder Ralph Roberts dies at 95

    MUMBAI: Ralph J. Roberts, the cable television pioneer, who founded Comcast Corporation died of natural causes last night in Philadelphia, PA. He was 95.

     

    Roberts served as chairman emeritus of Comcast, which is now the parent company of NBCUniversal.

     

    Comcast said in a statement, “Ralph was a born entrepreneur, a visionary businessman, a philanthropist and a wonderful human being. Ralph built Comcast into one of America’s greatest companies and his vision and spirit have been at the heart of Comcast and our culture for 50 years. He will be truly missed. Ralph’s greatest love was his family, and our deepest sympathies go to his wife Suzanne and the entire Roberts family.”

     

    Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said, “Ralph Roberts was a pioneer, a visionary and a role model. He exemplified the value of working hard and treating others with kindness and respect. His influence has extended far beyond Comcast and Cable. His life’s work, and the legacy he leaves, helped shape the way consumers use content today and how they communicate with one another. On behalf of everyone at Time Warner Cable, I send our sympathy and love to Ralph’s family and to everyone at Comcast.”

     

    Roberts was a born entrepreneur, great American businessman and philanthropist, who played a key role in the development of the cable television business. He founded Comcast in 1963 with the purchase of a 1,200-subscriber cable system in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew the company from its humble roots as a small, regional cable company into the global Fortune 50 media and technology leader it is today.

     

    During his more than five decades at Comcast, Roberts became one of the most well-regarded executives in America. He was widely respected and admired for his visionary leadership and spirit, his passion for the business and his deep sense of integrity and courtesy. Most importantly, he was a kind and humble man who has been the heart and soul of Comcast for over 50 years.

     

    Roberts is survived by Suzanne Roberts, his wife of over 70 years. An actress, director and host of Seeking Solutions with Suzanne, Suzanne has spent a lifetime seeking to help others.

     

    In addition to his wife, Roberts is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Catherine R. Clifton and Anthony A. Clifton, Lisa S. Roberts and David Seltzer, Ralph Roberts Jr. and Kim Roberts, Brian L. Roberts and Aileen K. Roberts and Diane Roberts, widow of Ralph and Suzanne’s son Douglas Roberts, who passed away in September 2011. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren.

  • Times Warner Cable FY-2014 operating income up 1.1 per cent

    Times Warner Cable FY-2014 operating income up 1.1 per cent

    BENGALURU: Time Warner Cable Inc (TWC) reported a 1.1 per cent growth in operating income in FY-2014 at $4632 million from $4580 million in FY-2013. For Q4-2014 (quarter ended 31 December, 2014, current quarter), TWC operating income at $1226 million was 4.5 per cent more than the  $1173 million in the corresponding quarter of last year.

     

    TWC revenue for FY-2014 at $22812 million was 3.1 per cent more than the $22120 million in the previous year. Q4-2014 revenue at $5970 million was 3.8 per cent more than the $5577 million in Q4-2013.

     

    Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said, “Our fourth quarter marked a strong finish to a really positive year for Time Warner Cable. As a result of record Q4 subscriber net adds and the investments we made all year in our plant, products and customer care, we enter 2015 with tremendous operating momentum.”

     

    Marcus added, “We continue to expect the Comcast merger to close soon; until then, we remain one hundred per cent committed to executing our plan.”

     

    Financial Highlights

     

    FY-2014 revenue grew 3.1 per cent year over year with Business Services revenue up 22.8 per cent, residential high-speed data revenue up 10.4 per cent and advertising revenue up 10.6 per cent.

     

    Fourth-quarter 2014 revenue grew 3.8 per cent year over year with Business Services revenue up 22.6 per cent, residential high-speed data revenue up 7.4 per cent and advertising revenue up 19.4 per cent.

     

    Full-year Adjusted OIBDA was $8.2 billion – up 3.1 per cent year over year. Operating Income of $4.6 billion increased 1.1 per cent y-o-y. Fourth-quarter Adjusted OIBDA was $2.1 billion – up 5.6 per cent year over year. Operating Income of $1.2 billion increased 4.5 per cent y-o-y.

     

    Full-year Adjusted Diluted EPS increased 14.4 per cent to $7.56. Diluted EPS increased 7.0 per cent to $7.17.  Fourth-quarter Adjusted Diluted EPS increased 11.5 per cent to $2.03. Diluted EPS increased 3.2 per cent to $1.95.

     

    Operational Highlights

     

    Fourth-quarter subscriber performance in each category: Total customer relationship net additions of 67,000. Residential high-speed data net additions of 168,000 and revenue from this segment grew 7.4 per cent to $1644 million in Q4-2014 from $1531 million in Q4-2013. FY-2014 revenue from this segment grew 10.4 per cent to $6428 million from $5822 million in the previous year.

     

    Residential voice net reported additions of 295,000, and a revenue decline of 4.7 per cent at $470 million in the current quarter from $493 million in Q4-2013. FY-2014 revenue from this segment declined 4.7 per cent to $1932 million from $2027 million in FY-2013.

     

    Residential video net subscribers declined 38,000, and revenue from this segment fell 2.8 per cent to $2464 million in the current quarter from $2536 million in Q4-2013. FY-2014 revenue from this segment fell 4.6 per cent to $10002 million from $10481 million in FY-2013.

     

    Residential triple play net additions were 273,000 says TWC.

     

    TWC says that full-year capital expenditures of $4.1 billion reflect the company’s accelerated investment in “TWCMaxx,” improved customer experience and network expansion.

     

    The roll out of TWC Maxx, including the “all digital” conversion and Internet speeds of up to 300 Mbps, was completed in New York City and Los Angeles during 2014. The company expects to complete the roll out in Austin, Texas in early 2015 and plans to expand TWC Maxx to Charlotte, Dallas, Hawaii, Kansas City, Raleigh, San Antonio and San Diego in 2015.

     

    TWC says that it deployed more than eight million new set-top boxes, digital-to-analogue converters and advanced modems in customers’ homes during 2014.

     

    It says further that during 2014, TWC added nearly 70,000 commercial buildings to its network, ending the year with connectivity to 930,000 commercial buildings. TWC claims that it achieved record “on-time” performance with technicians arriving at more than 97 per cent of customer appointments within the designated one-hour appointment window during the fourth quarter.

     

    TWC, the second largest US cable TV operator is being bought by the largest US Cable TV operator Comcast Corp in a friendly takeover for $45.3 billion subject to various approvals.

  • Obama wants FCC to remove roadblocks on internet, private sector disagrees

    Obama wants FCC to remove roadblocks on internet, private sector disagrees

    NEW DELHI: President Barack Obama has urged the American telecom regulator Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to keep the internet open and free.

     
    But this plea will give a blow to top US wireless carriers who are looking to control price and quality of internet services.

     

    The FCC is already in the process of considering new rules for how to safeguard competition and user choice. “Ensuring a free and open internet is the only way we can preserve the internet’s power to connect our world,” Obama said.

     
    “We cannot allow internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas. I am asking the FCC to answer the call of 4 million public comments, and implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality,” said Obama.

     
    However, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), an association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, said: “We are concerned over President Obama’s endorsement of reclassifying the internet as a Title II utility-like telecom service. Such a move would set the industry back decades, and threaten the private sector investment that is critically needed to ensure that the network can meet surging demand.”

     
    “We saw a significant negative impact on investment the last time restrictive Title II regulation was in place, and no one will benefit from returning to that failed policy.  As manufacturers and suppliers who build the internet backbone and supply the devices and services that ride over it, our companies strongly urge regulators to refrain from reclassification that will guarantee harm to consumers, the economy, and the very technologies we’re trying to protect,” said TIA CEO Scott Belcher.

     
    Four years ago, the FCC tried to implement rules that would protect net neutrality with little to no impact on the telecommunications companies that make important investments in the economy.

     
    Earlier, the court reviewing the rules agreed with the FCC that net neutrality was essential for preserving an environment that encourages new investment in the network. The court ultimately struck down the rules because it believed the FCC had taken the wrong legal approach.

     
    Obama said there should be no blocking and throttling by ISPs. There should be more increased transparency. Some sites should not get more treatment.

     
    Some companies should not enjoy paid prioritisation. Wireless carriers should not keep some services in “slow lane” because it does not pay a fee. “That kind of gatekeeping would undermine the level playing field essential to the internet’s growth. I am asking for an explicit ban on paid prioritisation and any other restriction that has a similar effect,” Obama said. FCC should reclassify consumer broadband service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act — while at the same time forbearing from rate regulation and other provisions less relevant to broadband services.

     
    Referring to the White House proposal, AT&T senior executive VP, external & legislative affairs Jim Cicconi said, “If the FCC puts such rules in place, we would expect to participate in a legal challenge to such action.”

     
    Time Warner Cable, a top cable company, remains committed to an open internet, but disagrees with President Obama’s statement that an open internet can only be achieved by reclassifying broadband as a public utility.

     
    “Regulating broadband service under Title II, as the President proposes, will create uncertainty, lead to years of litigation and threaten the continued growth and development of the internet. The FCC has sufficient tools without reclassifying broadband to protect the openness of the internet, while at the same time encouraging continued investment and innovation in the internet ecosystem,” said Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Rob Marcus.