BT has tapped Motorola to supply Mesh Wi-Fi network infrastructure and services for the first six of the 12 markets in BT’s Wireless City initiative. BT plans to have the six wireless networks operational by the end of the first quarter of 2007.

Motorola is expected to design, deploy and manage city-wide Wi-Fi networks with BT in Birmingham, Newcastle, and four other U.K. cities. Newcastle was not among the six cities originally designated (Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Westminster).

The Mesh Wi-Fi networks will deliver wireless broadband for use by public services, businesses and citizens in each of the cities. Network services are to include an extension of BT Openzone hotspots to enable wireless Internet access; contiguous Wi-Fi coverage to support dual mode devices; virtual private network (VPN) services; connectivity for local authority workforces; and wireless closed circuit television (CCTV) to aid community safety and security.

Motorola will supply solutions from its MOTOwi4 wireless broadband portfolio. The system allows for data to be backhauled wirelessly, helping to save the cost, time and disruption involved with building a fixed network.