Having completed a "successful" broadband trial using Tiscali's unbundled (LLU) product, ISP PlusNet has now formally inked a wholesale deal to provide more services via Tiscali’s network:

In those areas already unbundled by Tiscali, Plusnet will be able to offer speeds of up to 8 meg. And where Tiscali is investing in ADSL2+ technology, Plusnet should be able to offer speeds up to 24 meg.

Said Plusnet boss Lee Strafford: "This agreement with Tiscali demonstrates our commitment to using multiple network suppliers who enable us to ensure that we are providing our customers with the fastest broadband speeds available at the most competitive prices."

Plusnet is still trialling a wholesale LLU service from Sky-owned Easynet and says it will continue to explore agreements with other alternative network suppliers as well as continuing its existing wholesale relationship with BT.

These days even so much as a mention of Tiscali can send some people into cold shivers, yet LLU is somewhat of a separate entity to the ISP's own network and thus shouldn't cause too much worry.

Perhaps of more concern is the fact that PlusNet's adoption of LLU will be a stealthy one, meaning that customers could find themselves on either a BT or unbundled line without having the option to choose.

Regardless, Tiscali has committed itself to unbundling 600 exchanges by the end of this year. EasyNet's target is 750, with 1,200 by the end of 2007. Competition is good. More @ The Register.