ITWorldCanada's Nestor E. Arellano reports that Quebec-based ISP Radioactif.com and network installer Nomade Telecom plan to cover the city of Montreal with WiMax by 2009. The companies are currently beta-testing the technology in Plateau Mont-Royal.

"Radioactif's goal is to offer a cheaper alternative Internet and telephony service than that provided by traditional telecom companies and large ISPs," Arellano writes. "When fully operational, the Wi-Fi service will cost $17.95 a month for wireless Internet and $29.95 for a combo package that bundles wireless telephony and Internet access. WiMax at the back-end will enable Internet access speeds of up to 5 Mbps, which is comparable to what is currently offered by cable and DSL (digital subscriber line) providers."

"A few big players control the market now, but our goal is to provide service at more competitive rates," says Radioactif president Daniel Robichaud.

More here from Mediacaster ... more here from Wi-Fi Networking News ... more here from Wireless News ... more here from Canada.com ... and the press release is here.