SBC is build a huge WiFi broadband network in its corner of the US, spanning 20,000 hotspots in 6,000 venues.

Called FreedomLink, the network will span more than 6,000 hotels, conference centres and airports in SBC's 13-state region. FredomLink will take three years to complete and encompasses SBC's own infrastructure and wireless comms from Cingular. A roaming agreement with Wayport will give SBC customers access to another 650 locations nationwide.

SBC says it will offer an integrated Wi-Fi and 3G service in late 2004, or early 2005. It is working with Cingular on a service which will enable "roaming between home and office LANs, Wi-Fi hot spots and the Cingular GPRS/EDGE network so that subscribers can experience broadband Internet access regardless of where they are."

Customers can anticipate speeds of 2-5Mbps between SBC access points and their Wi-Fi devices and up to 170Kbps on Cingular's EDGE network, according to SBC. ®