De Kloet: CEE operators need scale

Lack of scale is the biggest challenge facing cable operators in CEE, according to Frans-Willem de Kloet, outgoing MD and CEO, UPC Poland.

De Kloet told DTVE at the recent Cable Congress that the biggest challenge facing operators in the CEE region is their footprint. He said that operators had looked at this over the last couple of years, and building scale remains a key part of UPC’s strategy.

De Kloet said operators can only launch mobile services if they have 40-50% footprints. Consolidation is key, he said.

UPC Poland has succeeded in delivering a vastly improved customer experience as a result of the rollout of advanced services as well as putting in place a “great team” to deliver a compelling experience, according to De Kloet,

He said that UPC has also had success in enlarging its footprint and in developing its B2B offering.

He said that CEE territories had more in common than anything that separates them. All customers need a good set of products, he said.