Sky goes on broadband-only "picnic"

By Simon Aughton

Posted on 29 Aug 2007 at 15:32

Sky is planning to extend its share of the UK broadband market with the introduction of a service that is not tied to its core TV business.

Currently Sky's 716,00 broadband subscribers must also sign up to a satellite TV package, but according to unconfirmed reports it will soon unveil "Picnic Broadband". This could appeal to Freeview and cable TV users who don't want satellite and at the same time enable Sky to make more efficient use of its LLU-based network.

A company that has worked for Sky in the past has been buying up "picnic" domain names ahead of an anticipated launch in November. The service is expected to include a wireless Netgear router.

Sky declined to confirm the reports.

"Sky is the UK's fastest growing broadband provider and we're always looking at ways to bring quality and value to even more customers," it said in a statement. "However, no plans are confirmed at this time."