Sky and Telefónica UK extend Sky Mobile partnership

Thursday 26 July 2018

Sky and Telefónica UK have agreed a long-term deal which will see Telefónica UK continue to provide the network for Sky’s MVNO, Sky Mobile.

The deal builds on the existing partnership and underpins the future growth of Sky Mobile in the UK while securing Telefónica UK’s status as the trusted provider for many notable MVNO, public and private sector organisations.

As well as having access to 98 per cent indoor and outdoor population coverage on 4G, the agreement will see Sky and Telefónica cooperate on the testing and launch of 5G, including a 5G test bed. Sky customers will also get access to 5G as soon as it is launched by Telefónica.

Securing long-term access to Telefónica UK’s network underlines Sky’s commitment to Sky Mobile and is the first step in Sky’s fixed and wireless convergence strategy, enabling Sky to keep customers connected to more of what they love wherever they are.

Launched in January 2017, Sky Mobile recently launched a range of data bundles for tablets.

Stephen van Rooyen, CEO UK and ROI, Sky, said: “This long-term deal furthers our strategic partnership with Telefónica UK, accelerates the growth of Sky Mobile and ensures our customers continue to enjoy great service including 5G connectivity. Customers love Sky Mobile and the ease with which they can roll over their data and swap to the latest handset - that’s why over half a million customers have switched to Sky Mobile since we launched last year.”

Mark Evans, CEO, Telefónica UK, said: “Our award winning network and unwavering focus on the customer has helped us build a roster of successful partnerships. The extension of this agreement with Sky further optimises usage of our assets allowing us to continue to invest while helping Sky grow their mobile customer offer. We look forward to continuing this partnership and driving the mutual benefits it creates.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Media Contacts

Sky – Harrison.Kelly@sky.uk / 07817476365

Telefónica UK – pressoffice@o2.com / 01753 565656

About Sky

Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 23 million customers across seven countries - UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The company has annual revenues of £12.9 billion and is Europe’s leading investor in television content with an annual programming spend of £7 billion.

From exclusive partnerships with HBO, Showtime and Warner Bros. to Sky Original Productions, Sky offers the best and broadest range of content along with the best viewing experience to suit each and every customer. Whether that’s through the multi-award winning next generation box, Sky Q, or Sky’s contract-free online streaming service, NOW TV, customers have access to the latest movies, drama, sports and kids entertainment wherever and whenever they like. This is all supported by Sky’s best in class customer service.

Sky’s success is not just based on what the company does but how it does it. Named as one of the Top 10 Green Companies in the World by Newsweek, one of the world’s most recognised rankings of business’s environmental performance, Sky ensures its responsible business strategy is embedded right across the group.

Three new major commitments have been launched for Sky’s corporate campaign Sky Ocean Rescue; the reduction of our own single-use plastics by 2020; an investment fund of £25 million over five years in technology solutions; and support of marine protected areas across our markets.

Sky has over 31,000 employees and is listed as one of The Times Top 50 employers for women. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

About Telefónica UK

O2 is the principal commercial brand of Telefónica UK, which is part of the global telecommunications group Telefónica S.A, headquartered in Spain and operating in Europe, and North, Central and South America.

O2 is the mobile network operator with the highest customer satisfaction in the UK according to The Institute of Customer Service and was also awarded Best Network Coverage in 2018 by uSwitch. With over 32 million connections to the network, O2 runs 2G, 3G and 4G services across the UK, as well as operating its nationwide O2 Wifi service.

O2 is the network of choice for mobile virtual network operators such as giffgaff, Sky Mobile and LycaMobile as well as managing a 50:50 joint venture with Tesco for Tesco Mobile.

O2 has around 6,700 employees and over 450 retail stores with free, face to face support via O2 Gurus and sponsors The O2 in Greenwich London, 19 O2 Academy music venues across the UK as well as England Rugby. Through a comprehensive sustainability strategy O2 is also helping parents to keep their children safe online, in partnership the NSPCC, creating work experience opportunities for 16-24 year olds via its GoThinkBig platform and enabling customers to reduce their impact on the environment by recycling their old devices through O2 Recycle.

O2 is the only mobile operator in the 2018 Social Mobility Employer Index and was named as one of the best places to work in the 2018 Glassdoor Employee’s Choice Award.

Telefónica UK Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registration number: 1743099.

Its registered office is at: 260 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DX, United Kingdom.