UPC Broadband

UPC Holding is a European telecommunications company owned by Liberty Global which provides cable television, broadband internet and fixed telephony in Europe.

UPC was founded in Amsterdam, Netherlands by United International Holdings and Philips, originally as United Philips Cable, which included the cable television assets in Europe of both companies. In 1997 UnitedGlobalCom (former United International Holdings) acquired the Philips shares and renamed the company United Pan-Europe Communications. In 1999 the company was listed on Euronext Amsterdam. In 2005 Liberty Media International merged with UnitedGlobalCom and formed Liberty Global.

UPC was a major telecommunications provider in the world and operating in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden. In 1990s before unification under UPC brand had cable companies in Germany, Portugal and Spain. In early 2000s had 50% shares in companies in Israel and Malta.

In 2005, Liberty Global Europe bought the Romanian communications company Astral Telecom for $420 million, the Swiss communications company Cablecom for CHF2.8 billion, and the Slovenian communications company UPC Telemach for EUR71 million. In 2007 UPC Telemach also bought 66.7% of Ljubljanski kabel (major competition in Ljubljana) and grew its market share to 40% in Slovenia.

UPC sold French Citecable operations in France in 1996, in Germany in 1997 and Spain and Portugal in 1998.

In 2002, UPC sold their 47% ownership interest in Tevel Israel International Communications Ltd.

In 1999, UPC purchased approximately 25% of Primacom cable company in Germany. In April 2000 UPC announced that will buy EWT/TSS Group and in 2001 EWT/TSS merged with Primacom. In 2006 UPC sold their remaining shares in company.

In 2007, UPC sold their 50% shares in Melita telecommunications company in Malta to GMT Communications Partners.