Freeserve is gearing up to start its mass-market push for broadband.

The UK's largest ISP has just begun its broadband marketing programme with the introduction of an "activation pack" available from its Web site.

The "All-in-One" pack costs £84.99 and includes an ADSL modem, splitters and software ready for people to sign up to its broadband service. Monthly subscription to the service costs £29.99.

The activation pack offer runs until the end of May.

However, the real push is likely to come when Freeserve begins selling "broadband in a box" in the high street.

No one at Freeserve would comment on its future plans but it's likely that this would be sold through Dixon Group stores.

No doubt this would only happen once BT's automated provisioning system is fully up and running - expected to be in the summer sometime.

When the system is working, punters looking to buy broadband in a box will be able to have their phone line checked in-store - there and then - to ensure they can hook up to ADSL.

The check will only take a few minutes and should mean that users won't buy the box only to get it home and find that they can't get broadband.

The Register also understands that Freeserve is amassing a whole army of helpdesk support staff to handle the influx of customer enquiries once it launches its broadband offensive. ®