stevem2k

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/22/28402.html

Telewest is looking for volunteers to take part in a trial to test the online gaming service Xbox Live.

Those taking part must have been a 512k or 1Mb blueyonder broadband Internet customer for at least six months. They must also own an Xbox console and already applied for an Xbox Live test pack from Microsoft.

Telewest's trial is part of a European test drive of Microsoft's online games platform. Thousands of gamers in the UK, France and Germany have already taken part in early beta trials ahead of a full European launch of the service, which is expected to go-ahead in March 2003.

Said Telewest's Chad Raube: "We want to find the best way to connect the Xbox with our blueyonder broadband internet service. There are currently a number of options and our trial will help develop a one-stop-shop for gaming hardware and support."

People interested in signing up for the trial can register their interest at xbox.blueyonder.co.uk".

Those taking part in the trial will be given a hardware pack including a hub and cabling, plus an additional IP address and support information. ®