BT is to trial broadband over the air as part of its effort to bring broadband access to everyone by the end of 2005.
105 triallists from four regions (Ballingry in Fife, Scotland, Pwllheli in Wales, Porthleven in Cornwall and Campsie in Northern Ireland) will test the new technology in the pilot that will last until March of next year.
Pierre Danon, chief executive, BT Retail, said: "We want to make broadband services available to everyone in the UK - whether they live in town centres or rural communities should be irrelevant. The benefits of broadband are extensive and we are working hard to make this target a reality."
However a spokesperson for BT told us that if the trials are successful, reality bites when it comes to rolling out such services. It will only be possible with public funding from Regional Development Agencies. So radio broadband will be offered on a case-by-case basis rather than at a national level.