Vodafone offers free Sky as fixed-line bait

Vodafone is offering its Unlimited broadband and home phone customers a free six-month subscription to Sky’s Basic television service.

To get the free service customers have to sign to a Vodafone Unlimited plan for 24-months and then take a 12 month Sky plan. Sky costs $48 a month when the free period completes.

The bundle builds on Vodafone’s existing relationship with Sky TV. The companies renewed their partnership in August 2013.

Vodafone sees Sky as bait to lure broadband customers away from other service providers — a strategy that has worked well in overseas markets. The telecommunications company has exclusive rights to offer Sky to its broadband customers.