Wanadoo unveils wireless broadband gizmo

Box of tricks

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Telecoms, 19th July 2004 13:58 GMT

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Wanadoo has unveiled a new box of tricks which it claims will eventually become the hub for a whole range of digital entertainment for the home.

To begin with, though, Wanadoo's £79.99 "Livebox" - which becomes available from next month - will give the ISP's punters wireless broadband access, enabling people to hook up a number of PCs and laptops to Wanadoo's broadband service without the need for connecting wires. Livebox has a range of around 30 metres and comes with a built-in firewall and virus protection. The gizmo can only be used with Wanadoo's broadband service.

In the future, Livebox will offer other Wanadoo services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), TV on demand and online gaming. Wanadoo - which changed its name from Freeserve earlier this year - is to trial its VoIP service before the end of the year.

Said Wanadoo UK chief exec, Eric Abensur: "The launch of Livebox marks the start of an exciting new phase in the UK Internet market. As our Broadband service continues to grow, Livebox's secure Wireless solution brings users greater freedom to surf not only whenever they want, but from wherever they want, opening up a host of new uses." ®