Posted: 27th Apr, 2004 By: MarkJ
The Northern Ireland government has awarded BT a key contract to deploy broadband wireless Internet access services across the region, specifically in areas that don't have ADSL:
Wireless will be used to offer services where ADSL is not available, and the overall Northern Ireland service is due for completion by the end of next year. The contract was finalized in late March, but was not publicized at the time, BT said this week.
The rollout follows on from several months of successful trials in Ballingry in Fife, Scotland, Pwllheli in Wales, Porthleven in England and Campsie in Northern Ireland. "We have been happy with the trials, and we now have a proven product," said a BT Retail spokesman. "We want to replicate this rollout in other areas (of the U.K.), but it requires partnership with regional development agencies."
BT has said it wants to make broadband available across all U.K. communities, using wireless to reach those which currently aren't in range of ADSL, but says this is only possible if bankrolled by regional development agency funds.
It's hoped that the new agreement will lead to 100% broadband coverage. More @ The Standard.