Easynet is UK LLU leader

Pan-European broadband business Easynet has more than 90 per cent of all unbundled lines in the UK, making it the country's leading local loop unbundling (LLU) outfit.

Easynet is targeting business users with its LLU products and has so far unbundled 81 exchanges in the UK.

In 2003 it's looking to unbundle at least a further 70. This, the company claims, will bring it close to covering three quarters of its target business market.

As well as attracting more customers, it is also generating more cash per punter. In total, Easynet has more than 8,500 broadband punters with average revenue per customer (ARPU) now more than £1,500 a year - up from £1,380 in 2001.

Today's update comes as the company published it preliminary results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2002.

Turnover was up 17 per cent to £91.5m compared with £78.3m in 2001 bolstered by a 134 per cent growth (£15m) in DSL revenue.

Earnings before interest (EBITDA) improved 23 per cent but the company still racked up a loss of £22.6m, compared to a £29.3m deficit the year before.

Looking ahead, Easynet expects the business to "continue to grow strongly in 2003" despite echoing other telcoms outfits in that 2003 is set to be "another difficult year" for the industry.

However, the company remains ever hopeful that broadband will be a key driver for 2003.

Shares in Easynet jumped 9p (12 per cent) to 82p in early trading. ®