Communications company Symphony has made the phones ring for new

Sussex businesses.

The Uckfield arm of the firm has installed a system at Coachmakers, business incubator unit of Eastbourne and District Enterprise Agency.

The company has provided a telephone system with cost-effective lines for all tenants at Coachmakers, low call costs and a voice mail system.

Symphony is also offering all the agency's client businesses the opportunity to have a telephone system on loan for six months, after which they have the option to lease, buy, upgrade or return it.

Coachmakers gives young businesses the chance of a first home. Rental costs are low, helping to keep overheads to a minimum. The opportunity to keep telecoms costs low is vital as, besides voice communication, all companies are becoming e-business dependent.

Symphony itself is an example of a start-up business. Entrepreneurs Mick Carroll and John Penny launched a company selling telephone systems and services in 1985.

Such has been their success, last October their company Systematic Telecoms became part of the Symphony group, one of Britain's fastest-growing communications groups, selling to the consumer and business sectors.

Mr Carroll said: "The agency is doing such a brilliant job helping young businesses, so we're happy to do anything we can to assist. When we first started out, it would have been great to have the kind of help and introductions the agency provides."

Agency spokesman John Clark said: "The help from Symphony has been invaluable. Telecoms, in all its forms, is the most important business tool and having access to equipment with leading-edge technology and low charges is a fantastic help at the start of any new business."