Internet service provider AOL France and French telco Cegetel SA are to pilot an ADSL internet access service in Monaco, in partnership with local carrier Monaco Telecom SA, the company said Friday. The ISP, a joint venture between AOL Europe, Cegetel, and broadcaster Canal Plus, will offer 500 Monaco subscribers ADSL modems from Alcatel SA, with 1Mbps download internet access for a fixed monthly fee. The trials will run until the end of the year, when a commercial service is expected. This is the first instance of AOL Europe, owned 50/50 by America Online Inc and Bertelsmann AG, moving into the ADSL market. Its UK and Germany arms have yet to implement such a service, though this is due to lack of access to the local loop in Germany and the UK, rather than any reluctance on AOL’s part.
