Plume signs smart home deals with VOO, Sunrise

Smart home services platform provider Plume has announced two new deals with VOO and Sunrise. 

The vendor earlier this year signed deals in the UK with TalkTalk and Virgin Media.

The agreement with VOO will see subscribers in Belgium offered VOO WiFi+, a smart home service offering that has been designed to “improve, personalise and secure the home network.”

The solution, controlled by the Plume app and powered by the vendor’s technology, works alongside VOO’s existing broadband offering and utilises cloud-based artificial intelligence to improve and enhance the home WiFi experience.

The product is available to new and existing VOO subscribers for €8.99 per month in addition to a one-time activation fee. This will include three SuperPod WiFi extenders. 

 Dr. Christian Vyncke, VP CTO at VOO said: “We are confident that by choosing to work with Plume, we are offering VOO subscribers the very best in home connectivity, control and security. VOO WiFi+ Powered by Plume will keep up with and adapt to the ever-changing smart home.”

Christian Constant, head of european operations at Plume said: “As the number and type of smart devices in the home increase, it is crucial to have a system that adapts to each person’s needs. Together with VOO, Plume is committed to providing the most flexible, safe and personalised online experiences designed for the modern smart home.” 

The Sunrise agreement will utilise the same technology to offer Swiss customers AI-enriched WiFi for the home. The offer launches on November 21 for CHF4.90 (€4.51) per month and an activation fee of CHF90 (€82.81), though this only includes one SuperPod. Additional extenders are available for CHF90 (€82.81) each.

Bruno Duarte, chief consumer officer at Sunrise said: “Sunrise is thrilled to partner with Plume to bring our subscribers the next level of speed, personalisation, security, and control for the Wi-Fi at home. We continuously look for ways to tailor the best in-home wireless experience to each person, home, and device. Smart Wi-Fi powered by Plume will help us carry out this goal.”

Sri Nathan, co-founder and head of business development at Plume said: “Plume is proud to support Sunrise as they usher in a new era of smart home services including reliable home Wi-Fi, personalised parental controls, advanced guest access, and tightly secured devices. Smart Wi-Fi powered by Plume ensures Sunrise subscribers will consistently get the best experiences possible across their homes on all of their devices.”

The news comes as Sunrise has formally ended its interest in acquiring Liberty Global’s UPC Switzerland following repeated opposition from Freenet, its largest shareholder.

Sunrise will suffer a CHF50 million (€46 million) penalty as a result, while it also expects total additional transaction-related costs of CHF70-75 million. This is made up of CHF19 million in underwriting fees advisory and legal fees, along with the already incurred integration costs of CHF24 million.