Telecom Italia said Thursday it
is joining forces with business magnate Rupert Murdoch to offer
subscribers an Internet-based television service as an
alternative to satellite TV.
The agreement between Telecom Italia and Murdoch's Sky
service takes effect next year, giving the Italian
telecommunication firm's clients who have a "My Sky" HD decoder
access to all of Sky Italia's TV programs over the Internet.
Telecom said it will enhance its infrastructure, including
fibre optic developments, to allow subscribers access to about
180 Sky channels.
As well, Telecom Italia's mobile phone customers could have
access to Sky TG24 news channel on their tablets and
smartphones.
"We strongly believe that one of the main drivers of our
business is represented by the development of innovative
services, especially in entertainment for the consumer market,"
said Marco Patuano, chief executive officer of Telecom Italia.
"Until now, satellite was the only technology able to bring
our entire range (of programming)," said Andrea Zappia CEO of
Sky Italy.
"We are convinced that such a great partnership with
Telecom is an opportunity to expand the customer base of pay TV
(in Italy)," said Zappia.
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