News
Triple-player strikes global roaming deals, completes initial tests; quarterly financial update gives little away.
Sky UK revealed on Thursday that it is edging closer to launching its long-awaited MVNO service.
In a quarterly trading update that was light on detail, the triple-play provider said it has completed its first live calls, SMS and data sessions. It has also provisioned its own SIMs and concluded international roaming agreements.
"The forthcoming launch of our mobile proposition will add another major product offering to our U.K. line up and will give our customers the opportunity to take even more from a brand known for great customer services and quality products," said Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch, in a statement.
Sky UK’s mobile service will be hosted on O2’s network; the companies struck an MVNO deal back in January 2015. At the time, Sky said it would launch the service in 2016.
The information was included as part of a fiscal first quarter report that gave little away.
Group revenue for the three months to 30 September increased 7% year-on-year on a constant currency basis to £3.15 billion (€3.48 billion). In the U.K. and Ireland, revenue grew to £2.1 billion from £2 billion a year ago. Revenue in Germany and Austria increased to £434 million from £397 million, while in Italy, revenue jumped to £610 million from £540 million.
When it came to subscriber metrics, Sky held its cards close to its chest, stating that it added 106,000 new customers during the quarter. That compares to 134,000 in the corresponding quarter of 2015.
Its U.K. and Ireland customer base added 35,000 customers, down sharply from the 77,000 added in fiscal Q1 2015. It was a similar story in Germany and Austria – where customer additions slowed to 49,000 from 94,000. Italy’s turnaround continued though, with 22,000 new customers added, compared to customer losses of 37,000 a year earlier.
Unlike in previous quarters, Sky published no information about uptake or otherwise of individual products, customer churn rates, or ARPU.
