UBS Conference

While RCN CFO Michael Sicoli refused to comment Thurs on the alleged bidding process surrounding the company’s possible sale to Comcast or Verizon, he did outline several planned initiatives he said will add value going forward. Sicoli admitted that the efficacy of RCN’s customer care and field ops protocols lag far behind those of most MSOs and said the recent formation of a CRM team will benefit RCN over the next 2 years. He also said RCN will ramp up call center management and oversight, and that customers will be able to sign up for services via the Web beginning early next year. One-third of RCN’s 424K subs take the triple play bundle, he said, delivering a $108 ARPU. — As Insight continues a VoIP roll out to its 7 remaining markets, CEO Michael Willner and CFO John Abbot posit an imminent period of RGU and financial growth, noting a 3.8% YTD growth in basic subs. UBS believes the MSO’s “margins will improve as VoIP scales and rev shifts toward higher margin HSD and VoIP products.” — Mediacom, too, is VoIP-happy, as its roll out of the service has reached 80% (2.3mln) of homes passed. CFO Mark Stephan said 77% of current VoIP subs take the triple play, and that ARPU for triple play customers averages $120. The MSO offered no new news regarding Sinclair but is currently marketing select triple play promos at $60/month. Stephan said the company is not pushing the price point; prospective customers have to call to receive the offer.