UK broadcaster BSkyB is reportedly in acquisition talks with The Cloud, a UK public WiFI network that supplies wireless internet services in over 22,000 European locations.
BSkyB, which is owned by News Corp., recently sold Easynet, focussing its efforts within its natural consumer space, so talks of a move back into networks may come as a surprise to many.
PaidContent reports that the deal would compliment Skys existing services, offering its 2.8 million home broadband users access to the internet outside the house via The Clouds pay-to-access networks that are located inrestaurants, bars and cafes throughout Britain.
Should BSkyB complete the takeover, it would help them provide competition to its rival BT, which operates BTOpenZone, offering 65,000 wirelesshotspotsthroughout Britain.
Previously, companies including MySpace and the BBC havesubsidisedThe Cloud to provide access to their websites for free, something that could interest News Corp. especially after it began putting its news content behind a paywall. BSkyB isnt involved in mobile networking just yet but the purchase of The Cloud could signal a significant shift in the companys strategy.
Sky buys The Cloud. The name fits already.Image Credit
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