Sky Italia and Open Fiber last week announced an agreement to launch a fiber-based service starting from the summer of 2019.
The objective is to accelerate the long-term growth of fiber and Pay TV. This fiber-based service will go alongside that via satellite. Sky will benefit from the advantages offered by Open Fiber's fiber-optic infrastructure - FTTH, Fiber-To-The Home - in the main 271 urban areas of the country.
As more and more content is available via the internet, Sky's fiber-based offer will combine its exclusive programming with the best connection speed available on the Italian market.
Sky will distribute its TV offer via the new version of Sky Q - the latest generation box that has set the new standards of television experience in Italy - which from 2019 will also be able to work via internet as well as via satellite.
As an integral part of a large Group, Sky will continue to provide Italians with the best content from around the world, including those from Disney, Fox, HBO not to mention the highly successful original Sky productions such as Babylon Berlin, Gomorra and The Young Pope.
Andrea Zappia, CEO of Sky Italia
We are convinced that pay TV still has ample opportunities for growth in Italy. Fiber represents a simple and innovative way to bring Italian TV service quality and the best On Demand content to Italian homes.
Elisabetta Ripa, CEO of Open Fiber
We strongly believe that our business model - wholesale only - is the best to accelerate the penetration in Italy of innovative ultra-broadband services implemented on an entirely fiber-based infrastructure. Strategic is a milestone in promoting the benefits and potential of our active telecommunications services, designed to offer a customer experience of excellence.
