Milton Keynes will become the first UK town to boast a high-speed WiMax wireless broadband network, with other cities to follow.

Pipex and Intel are to develop the Airspan WiMAX network following successful trials. The tests saw speeds in excess of 2Mbps up and down achieved indoors at a range of 1.2km from the base station with no direct line of sight. Speeds of 10Mbps down and 9Mbps up have been achieved to external antennas at the test house at 1.2km from the base station. Longer range tests with external antennas have achieved 6Mbps down and 4Mbps up at a range of 6km from the base station.

Pipex has said it plans to create WiMax networks in eight UK cities by 2008, including networks in London and Manchester.
Plans of the launch date in Milton Keynes is rumoured to be announced in the next four weeks.