KCOM Regulatory News (KCOM)

28 Jul 2006 07:02

Kingston Communications(Hull)PLC28 July 2006 28 July 2006 KINGSTON COMMUNICATIONS (HULL) PLC (KCOM.L) AGM TRADING STATEMENT At its Annual General Meeting today, Kingston Communications (HULL) PLC willprovide an update on trading since its Preliminary results announced on 23 May. Trading Update The Group has seen a robust start to its new financial year with the momentumcreated in the second half of last year continuing in to the first quarter ofthe new year. Affiniti has made an encouraging start to the year. As expected, we have seenstrong growth in revenues from our direct business-to-business channel, inparticular reflecting increasing demand for converged communication services. Atthe same time, following the launch of our mass interactive call platform in thefirst quarter, we have seen increased sales to the media and quiz call sector.The combination of these two trends has more than offset the anticipatedreduction in our indirect partner business, which has a greater exposure totraditional basic voice services. Contract wins during the first three months ofthe year include Fife Council, CSEE Transport, GVA Grimley, Balfour Beatty andADT Fire & Security. Kingston Communications has performed strongly. Broadband services continue tobe a key area of growth where our focus continues to be on building our businessin less price sensitive segments of the market, where availability and servicequality, rather than price, are valued by customers thus building strongerloyalty. The customer base at the end of June was over 129,000, an increase of51 per cent year on year. Michael Abrahams, Chairman commented: "During the first quarter we have seenongoing momentum across the Group resulting in good contract wins, a strongorder pipeline and continued growth across the business. As a result, trading isin line with our expectations." Kingston Communications will announce its Interim results for the six monthsending 30 September on 28 November. -end- For further information, please contact: Kingston Communications (HULL) PLC Corporate Communications Tel: 01482 602666 Mobile: 07770 744322Anita Pace The Maitland Consultancy Tel: 020 7379 5151 Mobile: 07733 103800Colin Browne This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange