Rogers 2005 Annual Report Download - page 15

11 ROGERS 2005 ANNUAL REPORT . LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
DELI V E RING A Q UA DR UP LE PL A Y
Our expansion into wireline telephony marks an important step for-
ward for Rogers and represents a new choice for Canadian consumers
and businesses. We unveiled the Rogers Home Phone service, our fully
featured voice-over-cable local telephony offering, on July 1, 2005,
Canada Day. Coincidentally, our acquisition of Rogers Telecom closed
the same day, a day which also marked the 20th anniversary of the
launch of our wireless service. Acquiring Rogers Telecom has helped
jumpstart our entry in local telephony across the country in both the
residential and business markets. And with its well-recognized exper-
tise serving businesses, Rogers Telecom gives us the scale, presence
and product breadth to more comprehensively serve this important
market segment. We also see meaningful cost saving opportunities
enabled by Rogers Telecom’s extensive fibre assets and telephony
network infrastructure.
The addition of our telephony offering enables us to deliver a “qua-
druple play” of wireless, video, Internet and telephony services that
draw upon the combined strengths of the Rogers group. The value
that Rogers provides to consumers lies not only in the quality of the
individual products, but in our delivery of bundled communications
solutions tailored to specific needs while providing a single point
of contact and a single bill for all of their services. For business cus-
tomers, we now offer a broad suite of services including a full array
of advanced wired and wireless voice, data, access, and hosting solu-
tions for local, national and international communications and net-
working needs.
YOUR W ORLD, YO UR W AY EXCL U SI VE LY F ROM R O GE RS
Innovation, quality and value have always been the underpinnings of
the Rogers’ legacy. Today, more than ever, these strengths distinguish
us in the marketplace and enable us to help consumers and businesses
improve and enrich their worlds.
At Wireless, we’re Canada’s recognized leader in innovative wire-
less data services while offering the latest and largest selection
of wireless devices. We are also the only wireless carrier operat-
ing on GSM – the de facto global wireless technology standard –
which enables our customers to seamlessly roam the world with their
Rogers Wireless devices while at the same time positioning Rogers as
the exclusive provider for visiting international travellers with GSM
phones. With the country’s largest wireless voice and data network,
GSM technology, and the latest in wireless applications and devices,
whether it’s the youth, family, adult or business customer, the reasons
to select Rogers Wireless are compelling.
At Cable, we continue to revolutionize the home entertainment expe-
rience, doing so in ways only digital cable can deliver. Services such
as VOD, time-shifting, personal video recorders, an industry-leading
selection of high-definition programming, and more sports and mul-
ticultural programming than any other provider, have earned Rogers
the highest digital cable penetration in Canada. Our high-speed
Internet service continues to be another Rogers success story, with
more than 1.1 million subscribers at the end of 2005 and still plenty
of room for growth. Without a doubt, our technologically advanced
broadband network provides an enviable platform for the continued
launch of innovative and exciting new digital, broadband and on-
demand services.
Rogers Media, with its category-leading collection of broadcast, home
shopping, publishing and sports entertainment assets continues to ele-
gantly fulfill the media needs of Canadian businesses and consumers
while continuing to create new opportunities to fuel future growth.
And with the acquisition during 2005 of SkyDome, rebranded Rogers
Centre and home field of the Toronto Blue Jays, Media now also con-
trols Canada’s premier sports and event venue and the country’s only
Major League Baseball team.
At Rogers Business Solutions, we bring together industry leading ser-
vices from across the Rogers group – be they telecom, wireless, cable
or media – into a single point of access to meet the diverse needs
of Canadian businesses of all sizes. Leveraging Rogers’ broadband
and wireless networks, we deliver integrated voice, data networking,
Internet connectivity and wireless enterprise solutions that make busi-
nesses more efficient and competitive.
LOOK I NG A HE AD
Today, Rogers is better positioned than ever to continue delivering on
our brand promise – innovating to enrich our customers’ lives – and
to reinforce the confidence that millions of Canadian consumers and
businesses place with us every day.
As 2006 unfolds, our priority is clear – disciplined execution of our
strategy of profitable growth while continuing to deploy unique and
innovative communications, entertainment and information products
that add convenience and value to our customers’ lives.
At every step, we will reinforce our position as the leading wireless
provider in Canada. We will accelerate local telephony growth, drive
deeper penetration of digital cable, and expand our presence in the
business market segment. We will explore new opportunities for our
businesses to work together while we sharpen our focus on enhanc-
ing our cost structure. And we will target double-digit revenue and
operating profit growth in 2006 while continuing to deleverage our
balance sheet.
If you live in Canada, I invite you to sample and subscribe to our many
services. They will keep you informed, entertained and in touch with
what matters most in your world.
Thank you for your continued support. The best is yet to come!
Edward “Ted” S. Rogers, OC
President and Chief Executive Officer
Rogers Communications Inc.