BT Re-Enters Wireless Market With Broadband Offering

BT is to re-enter the wireless market less than six months after de-merging its mobile phone business and plans to launch the UK’s first public wireless broadband network.

The telecommunications group is pursuing a two pronged strategy that will see it re-establish its brand in the mobile phone market and set up a public access broadband network, which will allow people with a laptop or handheld computer to access the internet at broadband speed whilst away from the home or office.

BT’s CEO, Pierre Danan, said: “We intend to build a national network of access points around key public sites such as hotels, railway stations, airports and bars – all within reach of business travellers commuters and other users.”

The initiative, which BT claims could generate up to £500m per annum in five years time, is part of BT’s plan to extend the broadband market and increase the uptake of high-speed internet services in the UK. The company hopes to have installed 400 internet “access points” by June next year and it is thought that consumers will be able to begin using the service by 2005.

Earlier in the week BT announced plans to extend its existing high-speed internet service to over two thirds of the UK population by the end of May (see BT To Extend Broadband Offering). As part of the initiative BT will work with rival internet service providers to develop co-branded marketing campaigns to promote broadband uptake.

BT: 0207 469 2337 www.bt.co.uk

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