<edited>Hi Frank, what would limit US-based ISP's from pursuing the Canadian market?
As for Rogers, they have a significant system. I believe they are roughly tied for having the largest subscriber count (with Comcast) of any @HOME affiliate. Homes per segment is generally considered proprietary to MSO's (as is virtually any data that would allow you to critique them<g>). I think we can assume it's in the typical 500 average region, but I'm not sure that's really that important at this juncture with the low penetration rates everywhere and the 128k upstream limits. It's comparable to a large US system.
Here's a press release:
Rogers Communications and Rogers Cantel Announce Strong Second Quarter 1999 Subscriber Results@.
PR Newswire, July 6, 1999 p5155
Full Text
Adds 109,500 cellular subscribers in quarter
Reaches 100,000 Rogers(at)Home customer milestone
TORONTO, July 6 /CNW-PRN/ - ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. (''RCI'') (Toronto: RCI.A and RCI.B;
NYSE: RG) and ROGERS CANTEL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC. (''Rogers Cantel'') (Toronto: RCM.B;
NYSE: RCN) today announced preliminary subscriber results for the second quarter ended June 30,
1999.
<<Rogers Cantel results deleted>>
Rogers Cablesystems
At June 30, 1999, Rogers Cablesystems had approximately 1,201,000 customers subscribing to the
third tier, (MeTV) for a penetration rate of 54.0%. Cablesystems ended the seasonally low second quarter
with 2,225,200 basic cable subscribers, a decline of 11,400 subscribers or 0.5% in the quarter, similar
to the decline in the 1998 second quarter of 11,600 subscribers.
During the second quarter, Cablesystems added 24,500 Rogers(at)Home customers, ending the quarter
with 100,500 customers. At June 30, 1999, Cablesystems was able to market its high-speed Internet
access service to approximately 2.5 million homes, or approximately 89% of Cablesystems' 2.8 million
homes passed.
Commenting on these results, John H. Tory, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rogers
Cablesystems stated, ''Reaching 100,000 Rogers(at)Home customers is an important achievement and
puts us solidly on track to achieve our full year subscriber targets. At sign up rates of almost 2,000 per
week, customers are clearly choosing cable over telephone lines as the preferred method of accessing
the Internet. The numbers indicate the value customers place on fast transmission speeds, 'always on'
service and Rogers(at)Home content.''
''In addition, we are encouraged by the response to our VIP Cable program that offers tremendous
value to our customers. With 167,000 customers since our launch last October, we plan to continue
actively marketing this program that is being so well received by our customers.''
Rogers Communications Inc. is Canada's national communications company engaged in cellular, Digital
PCS, paging and data communications through its 81% owned subsidiary Rogers Cantel Mobile
Communications Inc., in cable television, high-speed Internet access, and video retailing through its
wholly-owned subsidiary Rogers Cablesystems Limited, and in radio and television broadcasting,
publishing and new media businesses through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rogers Media Inc.
========
One thing that does throw a wrench in the works is Rogers use of Terayon gear.
Communications Daily, March 24, 1999 v19 i56 pNA
Full Text
Technology Notes: Rogers Cablesystems added Terayon cable modems and headend equipment to its
supply base, parties said, with Rogers AtHome Vp Alek Krstajic citing Terayon's commitment to
provide CableLabs-interoperable modems "as soon as possible." Terayon has agreements with MSOs
covering 2/3 of Canadian market. In separate agreement, Rogers said it will assist Terayon in testing
latter's equipment for voice over cable, to be compliant with CableLabs specifications... ACTV said
Pioneer Digital Technologies will incorporate ACTV's Individualized TV technology into its digital set-top
software, enabling consumers to control multiple video feeds such as varying camera angles... General
Instrument will integrate Intertainer's entertainment-on-demand service in its DCT-5000 digital
set-tops debuting in midyear. Intertainer service provides movies, music, interactive ads, e- commerce.
dh
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