Sky broadband customers set to receive mega speed boost soon – and it’s a major blow for BT

SKY’s broadband service looks set to receive a bumper boost soon as the company announces a big upgrade to the network it uses.

Up until now Sky has relied BT‘s Openreach network to deliver internet to some 5.7million customers across the UK.

But the firm has now signed a major deal with BT rival CityFibre to use its network too.

While existing arrangements with BT will continue, the move came as blow to the legacy telecoms giant, leading to a fall in the company’s shares.

Sky is unlikely to end its partnership with BT given that Openreach’s network availability is significantly larger.

Openreach is the biggest network in terms of reach, followed by Virgin Media.

CityFibre itself aims to cover up to 8million UK premises with its FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) network.

But Sky’s decision to opt for a second tie-up with CityFibre means the company can expand its broadband services to more households too.

“Sky’s new partnership with CityFibre will mean we can provide fast, reliable and great value broadband to more homes across the UK,” said Amber Pine, Sky’s Managing Director of Connectivity, said.

“This will mean we are able to reach even more people with full fibre, which is essential for the modern home.”

Sky’s fibre broadband would be available on CityFibre’s 3.8million premises next year, CityFibre said.

Longer term it would be offered to the 1.3million homes it is connecting in remote regions with government support.

“This partnership with Sky is a huge vote of confidence in our business and has cemented CityFibre’s position as the UK’s third digital infrastructure platform,” said Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre.

“With demand for digital connectivity continuing to grow, CityFibre’s network can provide the quality and reliability that people need and the infrastructure competition the UK deserves.”

BT said the deal was expected as the UK’s fibre broadband market “becomes ever more competitive”.

“We’re very confident that Openreach will continue to be the UK’s fibre partner of choice,” a BT spokesman said.

“But we’re building fibre faster, more efficiently and providing better customer experience than anyone.”