chello broadband Extends Service to Central Europe chello broadband and UPC Magyarorszag to Deliver High-Speed Broadband Internet Access Via Cable in Hungary Hungary Marks chello's First Expansion Into Central Europe Hungary Becomes 10th Country to Receive chello Service chello and Partner UPC Magyarorszag to Deliver Broadband Internet Access In Budapest Central Europe Is Important Focus in chello's Global Expansion Programme BUDAPEST, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- United Pan-Europe Communications (UPC) (AEX: UPC, Nasdaq: UPCOY) and chello broadband nv, (chello), one of the world's leading broadband internet companies, active in Europe, Latin America and Australasia, today announced its expansion into Central Europe as it launched its service in Hungary (www.chello.hu) in association with UPC Magyarorszag, Hungary's largest broadband communications company. Hungary becomes the tenth country in which chello's high-speed broadband internet service is available. The launch of chello in Hungary is consistent with UPC's triple play strategy of providing voice, video and data services. UPC Magyarorszag provides cable television services to more than 35 cities and villages throughout Hungary. The partnership will see chello broadband initially provide high-speed broadband internet access to residential and business subscribers in Budapest and in Miskolc, with plans to roll out the service further in 2001. Roger Lynch, president and CEO of chello broadband nv, said: "We have our roots in Europe and we're delighted to be able to extend our broadband internet service into Central Europe, where we expect growth in internet usage to be especially strong. In fact, the number of internet accounts in Hungary is expected to grow over 500% from now until 2004, when 6% of the country's population will be users.* Hungary is the first country in Central Europe to enjoy chello, and we intend to make our award-winning service available to many more countries in the region." The new service in Hungary will feature chello's international, national and localised broadband content from among others, Amtel, Port, Magazix, Netforum, Globopolis, Est FM, Netrider, Warner Music, Sport 1, Universal Music and Sony. Uli Neuert, director, chello broadband Central-Europe, added: "The partnership with UPC Magyarorszag is the ideal platform from which to launch our high-speed broadband service in Hungary. They are a major player in Hungary and our partnership with them will give us a solid foundation in the Hungarian broadband market. Initially, we are launching chello in four districts of Budapest and in Miskolc and we expect to reach 400,000 homes with two-way capacity in the country by the end of 2001." Joe Zuravle, managing director of UPC Magyarorszag said: "UPC Magyarorszag has already been operating an experimental broadband Internet service in some regions including Miskolc, Debrecen, Nagykanizsa, Szolnok, Nyiregyhaza, and Gyoengyoes. With the addition of chello's international, national and localised broadband content, this new partnership gives our customers an even larger choice." SOURCE chello broadband nv CONTACT: Lori Tusa of chello broadband, +31-20-778-8377, or [email protected]; or Bert Holtkamp of UPC, +31-20-778-9800, or [email protected]; or Olivia Martin of Nelson Bostock Communications, +44-207-229-4400, or [email protected], for chello broadband Web site: http://www.chello.hu (UPCOY)-END-