Telekom Austria, which has become something of a trailblazer in new technology R&D in recent years, has become the latest to promise hybrid LTE/fixed-line networks for home broadband services. Its domestic unit, A1, will follow Deutsche Telekom and others in planning to combine fixed and mobile links to boost broadband speeds to 100Mbps in areas which are difficult to reach cost-effectively with fiber, using “hybrid-boost technology”. The firm said it was investing €500m ($553m) this year to extend internet coverage in urban and rural areas. Natascha Kantauer-Gansch, A1’s chief customer officer consumer, commented: “Austrian households already often use up to six connected devices. With hybrid-boost we are now for the first time offering a smart combination of fixed net internet…