Every business in Sussex will have access to broadband internet technology by 2005 - provided there is enough demand.

The announcement by British Telecom has delighted business leaders who feared inequalities in high-speed internet access would create a two-tier economy.

There are 62 telephone exchanges in Sussex which can be converted to broadband but first customers must show they want it.

To gauge demand, BT has set up a special web page where people can register their interest.

If enough people log on to the web page, BT will install broadband in their area.

The targets are usually between 100 to 200, depending on how many lines run off the exchange.

Already Beckley, Wivelsfield Green, Halland, Northchapel and Hadlow Down exchanges have achieved their targets and will be ready for service next year.

Isfield, East Marden, Plaistow and Sutton are beyond the 6km reach of current broadband cables. Here alternatives, such as wireless technology, will be introduced.

Patricia Vaz, BT's South-East regional director, said: "Just about everybody in Sussex can be connected to a broadband-enabled BT exchange.

"If they can demonstrate that the demand is there, BT will invest with the confidence that we are meeting our customers' needs."

She added: "We will be also looking for involvement and support by the public sector.

"Councils, regional development agencies and other public organisations can help raise levels of awareness and accelerate broadband roll-out."

Involvement by the public sector, especially regional and local government, will be needed to help stimulate the demand to encourage broadband investment.

West Sussex Economic Partnership, which is leading a broadband awareness campaign, welcomed BT's announcement.

The group was concerned business would start to migrate to broadband enabled areas which, they feared, would have an impact on the jobs' market.

Chief executive Alistair Smith said: "This is a big step in the right direction. We have already been working with BT to raise awareness of broadband with success.

"There are still problems with some areas because the cables only extend so far but I understand BT are looking at other technologies to overcome that."

Mark Brunet, IT adviser at Sussex Enterprise, said: "We welcome any decision to improve and develop the way we run our businesses."

Wednesday November 19, 2003