Magnet attracts Sky by Wire for broadband television

UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB is offering its Sky By Wire service in Ireland following a distribution agreement with Dublin-based broadband service provider Magnet Networks.

The deal will enable Magnet to offer Sky channels as part of its IPTV internet protocol television service, together with digital telephony and high speed internet access.

In addition to providing fibre-to-the-home to certain new housing developments, Magnet has selected systems integrator Industria in a 50 million euro deal to roll out the first ADSL2+ network in Ireland. This will initially offer downstream broadband speeds of up to 25Mbps through the unbundling of telephone lines in Eircom exchanges in parts of Dublin.

The company plans to extend it service to much of the rest of the city and reach Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford in the coming months. This will make it not only the fastest domestic broadband service in Ireland, but also the second-largest broadband network in the country, covering some 2.6 million users, around 65% of the population.

Previously available in the UK on the Video Networks HomeChoice service, Sky By Wire makes Sky channels available to customers on broadband platforms. Sky remains retailer of the Sky By Wire service, maintaining a direct relationship with the customer and control over the pricing and packaging of its channels. In this case sales and customer service operations will be provided by Magnet Networks as an agent for Sky.

“Sky By Wire is a new service that offers customers more flexibility and demonstrates Sky’s commitment to take advantage of the emergence of alternative distribution networks,” said Delia Bushell, managing director of Sky Ireland.

Sky By Wire is expected to be rolled out across further broadband networks throughout the country as the sector evolves.

BskyB recently announced its plans to acquire UK broadband service provider Easynet for £211 million.