Cable TV operator UPC gained an additional 26,000 subscribers during the first three months of 2011.

The company said total service subscriptions rose by 11 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2010.

UPC currently has 811,700 service subscriptions and has recorded strong growth in all three of its core products, Digital TV, Broadband and Home Phone.

Broadband subscriptions rose 34 per cent year-on-year while home phone subscriptions were up 58 per cent, the company said.

UPC announced this morning that it is introducing 25Mb as the standard entry level speed for all its customers and is to launch new so-called triple play bundles - consisting of broadband, digital TV and phone from next week.

"Our new acquisition campaign, launched in January, with our all in one bundle of Digital TV, Phone and 20Mb Fibrepower Broadband for €65 clearly resonated with Irish consumers. Offering twice the broadband speed for the same or lower price than the alternative providers prompted increased switching for consumers," said recently appointed chief executive Dana Strong.

"Our growth in the first quarter shows that Irish customers are seeking better value and choosing UPC," she added.