Telewest boasts 107,000 broadband users

Telewest has signed up 107,000 broadband internet users.

The cable operator's Blueyonder broadband internet access service got 32,000 new subscribers in the fourth quarter.

"As of 28 February we had 107,000 installed subscribers to our Blueyonder broadband service. Growth in 2001 was 1,135 per cent, proving there is a need for speed. We shall compete not only on price, but will use our better network to go for speed," said Adam Singer, group chief executive of Telewest.

"This time last year we were selling 380 broadband connections a day on average. Today we are averaging 900 sales a day."

The number of Telewest customers taking three services - broadband internet, television and telephony - is 75,000, providing an average monthly revenue of £65.

Telewest is proving strong competition for BT, which currently has 145,000 broadband subscribers but is aiming for one million users on its network by 2003.

Telewest's total turnover for the year ended 31 December 2001 increased 17 per cent by £194m to £1,323m. Its Flextech and Eurobell acquisitions accounted for £132m of the increase.

The cable operator bought French television company Flextech in April which resulted in a non-cash charge of £1,130m.