Amazon could become an internet service provider, offering internet and video streaming bundles to its European customers, according to a new report.
As The Information reports, citing ‘a person briefed on the discussion’, the company has apparently been looking into providing the service in Europe recently, although details are scarce.
The move would put Jeff Bezos and co. in direct competition with existing ISPs that already offer bundle internet and streaming packages, as well as cable operators.
It’s all designed to push the company’s Prime Instant Video streaming service, according to the report, which, like Netflix, offers on-demand access to films and TV shows.
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With consumers often buying video and TV services along with internet access as part of a package from providers, Amazon is looks to be trying to capitalise on such habits by eventually bundling Prime with internet access.
And while becoming an ISP in Europe looks to at least be on the table for the firm, it seems the US won’t be seeing a similar service in the near future.
That’s down to the fact that broadband providers in many European countries must offer wholesale access to their network to competing companies, as with BT and its Openreach service in the UK.
The Amazon Echo recently launched in Europe
Amazon looks to be embarking on a quest to take over the world, having recently unveiled a new music streaming service, Amazon Music Unlimited, which puts it in direct competition with the likes of Spotify and Apple Music.
The company has also recently launched its Amazon Echo smart speaker in Europe, and is currently working on a new drone delivery system, details of which emerged this week after Amazon opened the doors of its Cambridge R&D lab to the local press.
If the ISP enterprise goes ahead, the company will add yet another service to its empire, though it will almost certainly offer internet services over the networks of existing providers rather than building its own network.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.