The ntl trials team has announced on the Digital Spy forums that a "mini-trial" in the Wearside region is set to get underway to "test the functionality and processes of installing and running ntl Broadband via Stand Alone Cable Modem."

Triallists who meet the criteria outlined in the post by the cable operator's trials team in this thread will get free installation and one month of free service.

People who already have ntl's broadband service via their set-top-boxes will not be chosen.

For all the details, please see the thread in our Internet and Telecommunications forum.