Montréal, January 26, 2004 - Download speeds on Vidéotron's high-speed Internet services, already the fastest in Québec, will be increased as of April 1, 2004. The enhancement, which will be rolled out gradually to more than 90% of the customer base, will buttress Vidéotron's leadership position in the ISP industry.
More speed on High-Speed Internet
On Vidéotron's High-Speed Internet service, its most popular Internet product, the speed of downloads will increase more than 32%, from 3.1 mbps to 4.1 mbps, and upload speeds will more than double, from 350 kbps to 820 kbps.
More speed on Extreme High-Speed Internet
On Vidéotron's Extreme High-Speed Internet service, download speeds will be boosted more than 12%, from 4 mbps to 4.5 mbps, and upload speeds will increase more than 40%, from 640 kbps to 900 kbps.
More bandwidth on High-Speed Internet
To stay at the cutting edge, Vidéotron will invest nearly $40 million in its broadband network and Internet infrastructure this year. The monthly download limit will be increased from 15 to 20 gigabytes and the upload limit from 5 to 10 gigabytes, for a total of 30 gigabytes.
A promise kept
When he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Vidéotron nine months ago, Robert Dépatie pledged to deliver the fastest possible Internet service to customers.
We said wed do it and we have, commented Mr. Dépatie. These improvements show that we are listening to our Internet customers. We are offering them the most robust, the most reliable and the fastest Internet product around. I am honoured to be able to continue providing the best residential service in the country and perhaps the world. Once again, Vidéotron is setting a new industry standard.
Free exclusive content
In addition to making the increasingly diverse and demanding universe of Internet content available to customers over the fastest Internet access service on the market, Vidéotron's high-speed Internet services deliver unique, exclusive content free of charge, including 24/7 access to Star Académie 2 webcam feeds after the series launch on February 15, 2004, Canöe digital, LCN video reports, and a 15% discount on music downloads from the new Archambaultzik.ca site.
Customer's phone line free at all times
Since Vidéotron's Internet access services use cable to connect to the Internet, the telephone line remains free while the customer navigates the Web. With Vidéotron's basic Internet service or High-Speed service, customers need not pay for a second line in order to make or receive calls while connected to the Internet.
Vidéotron has long been distinguished by its powerful and reliable broadband network, varied product selection and high-quality service. Today, it is lengthening its lead in all these areas. No other company can claim to offer the widest digital broadband line of entertainment products, delivered over a single cable, by a single provider, with a single customer service department. Vidéotron brings customers the most advanced and powerful one-stop entertainment concept on the market.
Vidéotron Ltée, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quebecor Média inc., is an integrated communications company active in cable television, interactive multimedia development and Internet access services. Vidéotron Ltée is a leader in new technologies, thanks to illico, its interactive television system and its high-bandwidth network allowing it to offer, among other services, high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital TV services. In Quebec, Vidéotron serves 1,423,000 million cable customers; more than 213,000 also subscribe to interactive TV on its digital service illico. Vidéotron is also the leader in high-speed cable Internet access throughout Quebec, with more than 430,000 Internet customers by cable modem and dial-up modem.
