Pipex Plans WiMAX Rollout

By Teresa von Fuchs
WirelessWeek - April 18, 2007
British ISP Pipex Communications announced plans to roll out wireless broadband connections in 50 towns and cities by 2009, starting with Manchester later this year. The news came with its 2006 earnings announcement yesterday, as the service provider tried to quell speculation about its future after potential bidders for the company were reported to have withdrawn from the review process.

So far, Pipex has conducted small-scale WiMAX tests involving several hundred users in a joint venture with Intel. "Following further trials being conducted in Warwick, we look forward to the first full-scale roll-out of these services in Manchester in the fourth quarter," said Peter Dubens, executive chairman of Pipex in the earnings report. The Manchester venture would be a huge step forward, with more than 2.2 million people in the city's greater metropolitan area. The company has not released any more specific details about the rollout.