LAS VEGAS--BellSouth announced a new wireless broadband application at TelecomNext here that will give users of wireline data services a wireless back up to those services, as well as allow them to activate a Wi-Fi hotspot at their business location.

In related news, BellSouth executives speaking at the show this week said that the company is doing lab trial of WiMAX this spring, to be followed by technical trials later in the year. The company already offers wireless broadband service in six cities, and earlier this year put out a request-for-proposals for WiMAX gear.

Regarding the back-up service announced this week, it complements any existing data network, including DSL, Frame Relay, Ethernet and Private Line, according to a company statement. This new service provides wireless broadband to BellSouth customers at a discount for use as backup access to the Internet and e-mail in the event of a wireline network outage.

The Wi-Fi offering allows customers to bundle Wi-Fi into their new or existing BellSouth Wireless Broadband service.