Digital Entertainment Role In Telecom Future

Move Underlines Digital Entertainment Role In Telecom Future

Telecom’s transformation into an online and communications business took a further step today with the launch of combined home entertainment and telecommunications services, SKY-FI and SKY-FI +.

At the heart of the SKY-FI+ offer is the Xtra JetStart fast Internet service and SKY Digital Basic television. For a monthly price of $135 customers can enjoy these plus Telecom’s Call Connect service, combining home phone and 025 mobile messaging services, and Telecom’s HomeLine rental.

Telecom is also offering SKY-FI, featuring Xtra’s Value Pack Internet service with SKY Digital Basic television, Call Connect and Telecom HomeLine for $99 per month. SKY-FI is an option for customers who want a lower priced package of services or live in areas whose exchanges are not yet JetStart enabled.

Telecom General Manager Marketing Kevin Kenrick said fast Internet and digital television is the future of home entertainment.

“SKY-FI+ is a big step towards delivering combined Internet, television and telecommunications for New Zealanders.

“With the rapid development of online content and the growing ability to stream content into New Zealand homes, the Internet will become a major source of home entertainment. Its use will only increase as the Internet’ s entertainment potential is unlocked.”

Mr Kenrick said New Zealanders already spend more time on the Internet than making local telephone calls.

“Our customers said they really like great-value services packaged together - Internet, digital television and telecommunications services are a natural fit.”

Mr Kenrick said JetStart represented the entry level offering in the JetStream family of high speed Internet services, and demonstrates how faster Internet connections can enhance the on-line experience.

JetStream and JetStart are now available to more than 800,000 customers nationwide. Almost 12,000 customers have subscribed to JetStream over the past 18 months.

The two SKY-FI offerings follow a trial of around 6,500 residential customers, mostly in Wellington and Christchurch, involving SKY and a range of Telecom services and last month’s agreement that Telecom will resell SKY Television’s services for at least the next two years.

“By working together, Telecom and SKY Television’s digital services can offer customers a more attractive offering than what we deliver now,” Mr Kenrick said.

Telecom reaches around 1.4 million residential customers, while SKY provides home television entertainment to around 400,000 New Zealand homes.

Those SKY-FI and SKY-FI+ customers who do not already have SKY Basic Digital service will be charged for the installation of the service. Customers also have the option of adding Sky Premium Channels to their package.

A 12-month contract applies to the Sky Digital service. For those customers signing up for the SKY-FI+ package, an installation charge for JetStart also applies and customers will need to purchase a compatible DSL modem.

SKY-FI
Per month cost $99
Sky Digital installation $99
Early SKY disconnection fee $50

SKY-FI+
Per month cost $135
Sky Digital installation $99
Xtra JetStart installation $ 178
Early SKY disconnection fee $50
A JetStart compatible modem may be required

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