PCCW hits back at wireless broadband roll-out report

Phase two in the pipeline

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Telecoms, 25th November 2004 13:15 GMT

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PCCW has shrugged off reports that it has ditched plans for a nation-wide roll-out of its wireless broadband service in the UK insisting it never committed to a countrywide roll-out of the service.

According to the FT, PCCW is backing away from ambitious plans to roll-out its wireless broadband service because it would be too expensive.

UK Broadband - the wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong telecoms giant PCCW - soft launched its wireless broadband service in May this year. The Netvigator service - which costs £18 a month for a 512k service - was made available initially in the Thames Valley.

Speaking to The Register, Joan Wagner, director of corporate communications at PCCW said: "When we launched in May we said we were evaluating six or more roll-out scenarios ranging from coverage in one area - through to rolling out to 75 per cent of UK households.

"Since then, the company has had very good feedback from the soft launch, in terms of proving the technology and achieving market share and we will progressively extend our coverage in the UK, taking a prudent and managed approach."

Although PCCW is planning the next phase of its roll-out and looking to expand into a different area, so far it's keeping that under wraps.

"I can't say where, we don't want to tip off the competition," Wagner said. ®