Vodafone is planning to launch a TV service in Ireland in a bid to compete with UPC, Sky and Eircom, a report in the Independent.ie has claimed. According to the article, the operator has held discussions with several providers, including Sky, and is planning to begin trials of the service before the summer to fully launch by the end of the year.

Although Vodafone hasn’t made any formal announcement on the matter, the article quoted a spokesperson from the telco admitting it is currently assessing its options regarding TV services in Ireland but that further details cannot yet be disclosed.

It seems likely the service would involve Vodafone offering a TV package including a range of channels accessed via a set-top box. This news comes as the operator also plans to launch a broadband service this spring.

Meanwhile, Vodafone is also said to be considering a bid for Liberty Global, which in Ireland owns broadband and TV provider UPC. Last year Vodafone acquired Spanish cable operator Ono for €7.2 billion and German Kabel Deutschland the year before for slightly more money. As further evidence of the telco dropping its historically mobile-only strategy, its Greek subsidiary acquired the country’s second largest broadband and fixed-line provider Hellas Online last November.

Given Vodafone’s recent acquisition activities and the fact its home market UK is on the brink of two major consolidation and convergence deals with BT bidding for EE, and O2 and Three in merger talks, it seems inevitable Vodafone is about to step into the multiplay market. Since exiting Verizon last year, the telco should also have some cash in the bank to enable it to go forward with any new plans.