Big customer gains for its broadband internet and internet telephony services helped Comcast, the largest US cable-television operator, boost second-quarter profit by 7.5 per cent. Net income increased to $632m, or 21 cents a share, from $588m, or 19 cents, a year earlier.

The Philadelphia-based cable giant, which is locked in a fierce battle for voice, video and data subscribers with telecommunications companies, added 320,000 digital cable customers, 278,000 broadband customers and 555,000 new customers for its broadband phone service during the quarter.