TORONTO – As of December 31st, 2006, Rogers Communications had over 6.77 million wireless customers and 2.27 million cable customers. Both numbers are much better than the 2005, but growth rates have slowed somewhat according to a release the company issued this morning.
The company added 384,500 new postpaid wireless customers in the fourth quarter of 2006 and 1.375 million during the entire year (to 5.4 million). However, subscriber growth slowed by 9% as compared to Q4 2005 and by 5.4% for the full year. Churn, however, dropped to 1.24% in the quarter compared to 1.57% in Q4 ’05.
On the prepaid side, numbers were up across the board as the company added 181,100 of those customers in Q4, an increase of 13% over the prior year’s quarter. Rogers ended the year with 1.38 million prepaid customers, a 2.2% increase. Churn also dropped in this sector from 3.68% in Q4 ’05 to 3.14% in the fourth quarter of 2006.
On the cable side, Rogers added 13,300 new basic cable customers in 2006, a 4.1% increase over 2005. It also added 220,700 new digital customers, bringing its total to 1.134 million, or nearly 50% digital penetration of basic homes. However, digital growth did slow last year by 7.2% as compared to 2005. High speed Internet subscriber growth also slowed as the company added 154,800 new customers during the year , for a total of 1.3 million. However, growth was slower by 24.5%.
As with all other North American cablecos, telephony subscribers are growing by leaps. Rogers added 318,000 VOIP customers in 2006, bringing its total to 365,900.
Cable now counts its growth in revenue generating units now (basic cable customers plus digital cable customers plus high speed Internet plus voice) and on that score, Rogers now has 5.07 million RGUs, an increase of 16.2% over 2005.
The company also has 350,000 circuit-switched telephony customers leftover from its Sprint Canada purchase in 2005. That side of the business lost over 41,000 customers during 2006.
"Rogers ended 2006 with solid subscriber results reflecting the continued healthy demand in the markets we serve and the innovative product sets we offer across our wireless, cable, high-speed Internet and telephony services businesses," said Ted Rogers, president and CEO, in the press release. "These results also reflect our continued success in delivering convenience and value for our customers, while at the same time quickly ramping up the availability of new products and services. As we enter 2007, our focus remains on growth, innovation and disciplined execution."
Rogers announces its full year-end results on February 15th.
