UPC to enter the mobile market and go quadruple play

Solair

Interesting bit of news, UPC seems to have plans to become a quadruple play operator and launch a MVNO mobile brand.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0819/1224302701765.html

Should be interesting!

A certain other telecommunications provider is trying to catch up -:

Kristopherus

Hopefully they will last longer than Justmobile;)

icdg

I wonder how well any of the MVNOs are doing. I'd imagine that they are struggling to establish a prescene given the physical networks domination of the market (in particular Vodafone and O2, and Meteor in the youth segment). Arguably eMobile is really just Meteor by another name (in order to target "grown ups"), so I would probably exclude it from the ranks of the MVNOs. You'd think Tesco's retail presence would gain it some market share, but I don't know anyone who will admit to being on it.

who is this

icdg wrote: »

I wonder how well any of the MVNOs are doing. I'd imagine that they are struggling to establish a prescene given the physical networks domination of the market (in particular Vodafone and O2, and Meteor in the youth segment). Arguably eMobile is really just Meteor by another name (in order to target "grown ups"), so I would probably exclude it from the ranks of the MVNOs. You'd think Tesco's retail presence would gain it some market share, but I don't know anyone who will admit to being on it.

I think the problem is how they market themselves.

eMobile run themselves like a physical network, with dedicated shops etc. (sometimes shared with Meteor) and so I expect them to have more success than the others.

Tesco Mobile sell only in Tesco, and Just Mobile only sold in Centra etc., and Postfone only sells in Post Offices. Doesn't really win people over to the notion "We're a proper [if not physical] mobile network".

UPC might make it work as I think eMobile have, even if they don't have physical shops, if they're selling it bundled.

Though physical shops could be useful to them for selling all their services.

Solair

I'd say UPC will definitely sell it as a bundled product rather than pushing it as stand-alone.

It make sense, if they can offer excellent deals.

Mountjoy Mugger

I wouldn't be holding my breath for it.:

“It’s on the horizon but it’s not something we will be launching this year,” reminds me of their promises of those interactive services...

Red Alert

Maybe get their TV service right first before moving on?

bk

I think UPC could potentially pull off MVNO where others have failed.

One bill for all your communication services would be quiet attractive.

Also UPC having their own stores that sell all their services might be a good boost for them. Virgin Media (UK cable company) has this.

All the big comms companies are multi service offerings. Look at Vodafone with their Mobile, 3G, home phone and home wired broadband services. Eventually Vodafone will probably even get into the TV business via IPTV.

Of course it doesn't necessarily mean UPC will just do MVNO, they could also look at doing fixed and mobile wireless broadband via their own network, by buying LTE frequency or reusing MMDS frequency if allowed.

Now that I think about it more, I think it will be essential for UPC to do this. Already people are expecting to get both wired and wireless bb. Without a wireless presence, UPC would be weak.

Solair

I'd say UPC will just do an MVNO. If they morph that into something else like using LTE on their own network in the future, that may happen, but they will almost 100% definitely launch as an MVNO on O2 or Vodafone.

Remember, they're trying to sell a bundle of services, so even if the MVNO doesn't make much money, it might consolidate UPC's platform and customer base.

They don't even need big revenue streams from the MVNO to survive, it's just a way of keeping customers on their other products.

TBH, their TV product's grand! I have the UPC Digital+ HD box and I have no complaints. I find it easier to use than Sky+ HD. The line up's a bit smaller, but it's pretty good by any standards.

podgeandrodge

great except for the epg why is it so damn slow???

Solair

It's not slow on mine.

patrickmooney

Solair wrote: »

It's not slow on mine.

Can I have your box!?

icdg

Back on topic please.

Tarquin1970

They can't even give a date for triple play in some parts of Dublin so don't get ahead of yourselves...

Solair

Well, all they need to do is setup an mvno, it's not technically challenging. Tyou just cut a deal with one of the mobile phone infrastructure providers who already have mobile networks in place.

Triple play services on their own network require physical network upgrades. These are still on going. It's not just a case of waving a magic wand!

I don't think launching a mobile network would be "getting ahead of themselves"