At the beginning of September, Shaw Communications announced that it had cancelled its plans to build a wireless network in Western Canada. In its place the company would build a broadband wireless network using WiFi technologies.

Shaw today announced it will conduct a technical trial of the new network, called HotSpot 2.0, in conjunction with its technology supplier, Cisco Systems.

The company says the new network will enable Shaw broadband customers to automatically connect and authenticate to the encrypted Wi-Fi network without having to manage complex configuration settings on their smartphone or tablets.

Details of the trial were not disclosed. Shaw would only say that the trial would be conducted in several Shaw locations and will test, among other things, automatic and secure authentication for Shaw customers equipped with HotSpot 2.0 devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets).

"This is another important step in the development of our Wi-Fi strategy. HotSpot 2.0 brings together a common set of standards that deliver a 4G like end-user experience to Wi-Fi authentication, security, and roaming and is further confirmation of the significance of Wi-Fi in the broadband wireless ecosystem," said Shaw Communications President Peter Bissonnette.

Shaw's Western Canadian WiFi Network is slated to launch in the Spring of 2012

Discuss the new WiFi network in Digital Home's Shaw High Speed Internet and Home Phone discussion forum.