Vodafone is to offer Vodafone-branded fixed-line
broadband services to consumers by the end of the
year.
The move is the latest by a leading mobile player to venture
into the fixed-line market.
Vodafone has signed a deal with BT Wholesale to enable it to
offer the services nationwide via the BT-owned national broadband
network, but unlike other mobile players entering the market it has
not announced free broadband services.
Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse moved into the market
with a free broadband service for customers signing up to its
fixed-line phone service earlier this year.
It was followed by mobile operator Orange, who is offering
customers free broadband connectivity to customers signing up to
its mobile packages.
Satellite TV company Sky is also offering free broadband to new
customers of its subscription services.
Vodafone said its partnership with BT would enable it to offer
bundled packages of mobile and broadband services nationwide.
Nick Read, chief executive of Vodafone UK, said, "Today's
announcement is a strategically important step in the evolution of
Vodafone's business in the UK.
“Choosing BT as our partner enables us to provide high quality
fixed-line broadband services to customers quickly and
cost-efficiently right across the UK, and this perfectly
complements our national mobile coverage and mobile broadband
service.”
Pricing details for the service are to be announced at a later
date.
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