Rogers adds 216,300 wireless subscribers in Q4, but growth slows

TORONTO (CP) - Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.NV.B) said Monday its wireless phone subscriber growth slowed in the fourth quarter while it boosted the number of digital TV terminals in service.

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During the three months ended Dec. 31, the big telecommunications firm grew its wireless subscriber base by 216,300 customers, but that was fewer than the 262,900 added during the same period of 2004.

Shares in Rogers dipped $2.03, almost four per cent, to $49.66 in morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Toronto-based company said its wireless division's churn rate - a percentage of those customers who leave for competitors - fell slightly from 2.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2004, to 2.04 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2005.

When it comes to cable customers, Rogers posted 8,000 net additions to the subscriber base for its basic cable package, up 35.6 per cent from 5,900 additions a year earlier.

More than 62,000 customers picked up Rogers' high speed Internet services, up nine per cent from 57,100 customers in the fourth quarter of 2004.

The number of digital TV terminals in service soared 71.7 per cent, with 114,200 net additions, up from 66,500 during the same period a year earlier. Measured by household, 73,200 households picked up digital subscription during the quarter.

There were 29,800 subscribers to Roger's new cable telephony service, which offers home phone lines over the internet.

The company will present its year-end financial results on Feb. 9.

"Rogers ended 2005 with solid subscriber results reflecting the continued healthy demand in the markets we serve and our leadership in product and service innovation across our wireless, cable, high-speed Internet and emerging telephony services businesses," CEO Ted Rogers said in a release.

"These results also reflect our continued success in delivering convenience and value for our customers while at the same time executing solidly around the integration of our strategic wireless and telephony acquisitions. As we enter 2006, our focus remains on disciplined execution."