Sky reports brighter outlook for 2021

A better than expected start to the year has seen Sky increase its revenue and profit guidance for the 2021 financial year.

It says it expects net profit to be between $20 million and 30 million. That's up from the May forecast of between $5 million and $15 million. Revenue will be in the range of $680 million to 710 million. Previously it was forecast to be between $660 million and 700 million.

Sky says its core business, satellite TV, has seen customer growth for six months in a row. Meanwhile, the number of customers leaving the service has fallen to the lowest level in three years.

The company reports strong revenue from its streaming operations. Its new Neon service has performed well. Sky has also tightened its cost control. There have been some savings from renegotiated rights deals, Covid-19 restrictions continue to affect these.

Chief executive Martin Stewart says there is still uncertainty, yet it is good to have an optimistic update for investors.

He says: “The last few months have reinforced the ‘power of our bundle’ and our ability to offer a one-stop-shop for all of our customers’ entertainment and sport needs. We are looking forward to making life even better for our satellite customers when we add Sky Broadband to the mix in early 2021.”

Whitianga added to fibre network

The Mercury Bay Informer reports that Chorus has finished building Whitianga's UFB fibre network. It says work will continue elsewhere in the Coromandel peninsula with Matarangi going on line later this year. Ferry Landing and Cooks Beach will be connected by mid-2021 and Tairua and Pauanui will be added to the network in the first half of 2022.

Spark adds Dunedin to 5G network

Spark has turned on 5G in central Dunedin. The service includes mobile and fixed wireless broadband. To promote the launch, it is running an augmented reality art experience. At four murals around the city 5G handsets will be available to let people see and hear additional sound and images.

2degrees broadband to power solarZero fibre bundles

Solar energy company solarZero is offering customers a smart home bundle that includes broadband and energy. There are two options, 100Mbps and 900Mbps. The broadband is provided by 2degrees. Prices for the company's solar power energy plans start at $85 plus GST and include a 6.4kWH Panasonic battery and the technology to manage and monitor energy flow. Grid power is charged extra.

RCG installs nine more cell towers

The Rural Connectivity Group, a joint venture between Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees says it has installed nine more cell towers in the past few weeks. The new towers are at Putaruru in the South Waikato, Mapiu in Waitomo, Te Kiri in South Taranaki, Tangimoana in Rangitikei, Ahiweka, in Tararua, Dorie near Ashburton, Waitohi Hill and Woodbury near Timaru District and Mokoreta in Southland.