Sky and TalkTalk have announced a partnership to launch their own ultra-fast broadband infrastructure.
Thanks to a new partnership with CityFibre, Sky and TalkTalk aim to offer fibre optic internet connections three times faster than that offered by rival BT.
The joint venture will introduce a city-wide FTTP network that will be capable of 1000Mbps speeds to York, with the first customers expected to be connected by 2015.
BT currently offers download speeds up to 300Mbps at the top pricing point. The monthly costs for Sky and TalkTalk’s 1000Mbps broadband haven’t been released.
All three companies own a third of the venture each and plan to bring the infrastructure to two more cities in the future, but where these will be has not yet been decided.
“TalkTalk has a long history and proven track record of disrupting new markets, and this is the next step in that journey,” said Dido Harding, Chief Executive of TalkTalk Group. “We are excited to be working in partnership with Sky and CityFibre to build this new network that will offer significantly higher speeds at much better value than is currently available.”
Sky and TalkTalk will contribute £5 million to the York venture with more investment coming later.
The joint venture will mean both service providers won’t have to rely on existing BT fibre optic infrastructure to offer high-speed broadband to their customers.
“Sky has led the growth of the sector since the launch of Sky Broadband, becoming the UK’s favourite provider of TV, broadband and home phone, and we see plenty of opportunity to develop our offering,” said Stephen van Rooyen, MD of Sky’s Sales, Marketing and Brand Group. “This trial will help us understand the potential for cutting-edge technology to help us give customers an even better quality of service and we’re looking forward to working in partnership with TalkTalk and CityFibre.”
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