Quebec cable operator Csii achieves spectacular growth
and increases its subscriber base in Guadeloupe and Portugal
Montréal, January 20, 1999 - Cable Satisfaction International Inc. (Csii)
achieved remarkable growth during the last year, ended December 31, 1998.
The number of subscribers in Guadeloupe and Portugal reached 46,646 at
December 31, 1998, compared with 25,359 at the end of 1997. The deployment
of networks built by Csii subsidiaries increased by 117%, reaching 172,058
homes with signal at December 31, 1998, compared with 76,168 for the
previous year.
The two international subsidiaries of this Quebec company, World Satellite
Guadeloupe S.A. (WSG) in the Caribbean and Cabovisão-Televisão por Cabo
S.A. (Cabovisão) in Portugal, are building high-capacity cable distribution
networks which can offer much more than conventional cable television. The
networks, which will soon be bi-directional, will be capable of offering
high-speed Internet access by cable modem. Csii is currently evaluating
additional technologies that could be distributed through its network such
as telephony services, both analog and IP based (Internet protocol).
During 1998, the basic service offered by WSG in Guadeloupe was expanded
through five new specialty channels: 13ème rue, which features action and
suspense, Fashion TV, for haute couture lovers, LCI, the European
French-language all news channel, France-Courses, the racing enthusiast?s
channel, and Teletoon, for animation fans. WSG now offers its subscribers
30 television channels and one pay television channel. In only two years
of operation, the penetration rate of 25% for pay television in Guadeloupe
far exceeds its penetration rate in Québec after over ten years of
marketing efforts.
Cabovisão offers 48 channels to its clients in Portugal and several
discretionary services. During 1998, Cabovisão added Bet on Jazz, the
African-American jazz channel, Fashion and Sports TV to its cable
television services. In 1999, Cabovisão -- with the support of its
Portuguese business partners, Banco Fonsecas E Burnay S. A. and Caixa Geral
de Depósitos S. A. will become the first cable operator to offer its
clients high-speed Internet service by cable modem. Csii is also
evaluating technologies that will allow it to provide telephony services
following deregulation, which is slated for the beginning of the year 2000.
It is worth noting that telephony represents a US$5 billion market in
Portugal.
Csii will pursue the accelerated deployment of its networks in 1999, both
in Guadeloupe and Portugal, in order to benefit from the significant
business opportunities offered by these markets in terms of cable
distribution, Internet and telephony. The future is promising for Csii.
Csii is a Canadian cable operator that builds and operates broadband hybrid
fiber/coax networks in the international cable TV and telecommunications
markets through its subsidiaries located in various foreign countries.
Csii is solely responsible for the contents of this press release. No
regulatory body having jurisdiction over the securities of Csii has
approved or disapproved its contents. Subordinate voting shares of Csii are
listed under ticker symbol "CSQ.A" on the Montreal Exchange. |
