Sky has entered the UK mobile market to become the first provider to allow customers to keep unused personal data for up to three years.
With Sky Mobile, users will be able to store data in an online ‘piggybank’ which they can use any any time, meaning they will not lose data they have paid for.
Mobile customers will also be allowed to change their plan each month, while Sky TV customers will get free UK calls and texts with any Sky Mobile Plan – plus the ability to sync their device with their Sky+ box.
“We felt it was time to shake up the mobile market and give customers a completely new way to manage their mobile plan – something no one else is offering,” said Sky’s UK and Ireland chief executive, Stephen van Rooyen.
“We’ve designed it based on what people told us they want – it’s easy, flexible and transparent and it puts the customer in control.
“With £2 billion being wasted each year on unused data in the UK, Sky Mobile customers will only pay for what they use.”
Dan Howdle, director of communications at Cable.co.uk, said the move – which makes Sky a quad-play business – could force other UK providers to follow suit.
“No mobile provider has ever offered this before…It shows a keen understanding of how customers consume their data – some months they use a lot, others they use very little,” Howdle said.
“This flexibility should allow consumers to choose a lower data tariff on the basis of rolling over data they don’t use during lower-usage months – and that will save them money.
“Perhaps best of all, though, it may force the hand of other UK providers to follow suit – and that would be good for everybody.”
Sky said pre-registrations for Sky Mobile have already reached over 46,000.
A full market launch will begin in the New Year – with the offer expanding to include Apple and Samsung handsets later in 2017.
