UPC Switzerland has acquired a cable network that serves some 15,000 homes in the Höfe region of Germany, from EW Höfe.
EW Höfe said that it decided to sell its existing cable network to long-standing partner and Liberty Global-owned company, UPC Switzerland, in order to focus on the expansion of its new fibre optic network. This is set for completion in 2019.
Arne Kähler, chairman of the executive board of EW Höfe AG explained: ‘Now, we are handing over our cable network to our long-standing partner, so that we can guarantee continuity for the customers of our cable network. At the same time, we are focusing fully on expanding the new fibre optic network and our own etzelnet offers, such as symmetrical internet, TV and telephone.’
UPC Switzerland, meanwhile, expands its business with the purchase, securing its presence as an infrastructure partner in the long term. Commented Christophe Millet, vice president partner networks at UPC Switzerland: Our customers will now receive all products, such as internet, TV, telephone and the cable connection from a single provider and will benefit even more from UPC’s first-rate offers for telecommunications.’
In a statement, EW Höfe said that nothing will change for customers following the sale, with the exception that the monthly cable connection fee will be paid directly to UPC Switzerland, alongside the bill for TV, internet and fixed network telephony.
UPC Switzerland’s parent company Liberty Global also hit the headlines recently after agreeing to sell operations in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania to Vodafone for an enterprise value of €18.4 billion (see Vodafone to acquire Liberty Global operations in key markets).
