Germany’s United Internet, which provides internet services under the brand 1&1, could purchase more fibre-optic assets to add to its recently-acquired Versatel network, Reuters cites the firm’s chief executive, Ralph Dommermuth, as saying at a press conference. The acquisition of Versatel last year gave United Internet access to Germany’s second largest fibre-optic cable network, which spans 37,000km and can be accessed in 226 cities, including 19 of the 25 largest in the country. The internet service provider (ISP) yesterday reported consolidated sales of EUR3.065 billion (USD3.4 billion) for full year 2014, an increase of 15.4% from EUR2.656 billion the previous year, while EBITDA rose 35.5% year-on-year to EUR406.9 million. The growth was partly driven by the full consolidation of Versatel as of 1 October 2014, with the fixed line operator contributing revenue of EUR130.6 million and EBITDA of EUR33.3 million; excluding Versatel, United Internet’s 2014 sales and EBITDA rose by 10.5% and 27.4% year-on-year. In 2015 the company expects consolidated sales to rise by approximately 20%, while 40% growth in EBITDA is forecast.
