Vodafone returns to UK broadband with new offering

• Three years after it got out, Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD) has gotten back into broadband in the UK, introducing Vodafone Connect in a new effort to compete with bundling plans from BT Group (NYSE:BT).
• For now, it's just for existing Vodafone customers in certain locations. It plans to extend the service through more areas and to non-customers as the year goes on.
• The company has a nationwide fiber-optic network passing 20M premises (which it will increase to 22M this summer) that runs at speeds up to 76 Mbps, part of what it acquired in taking on Cable & Wireless Worldwide three years ago.
• The plans will have 18-month contracts at affordable prices (at first, anyway): Aside from a line rental just under £17/month, plans start at £2.50/month for the first 12, and £5/month for the remainder; the higher-end fiber will be £10/month rising to £20/month.
• Shares are up slightly, +0.2%, in London trading.
• Previously: UK regulator fast-tracking review of BT Group/EE merger (Jun. 09 2015)