BT has made its 500,000th broadband connection and is on course for one million subscribers by the end of next summer.

The progress suggests the UK's broadband revolution is beginning to make its mark.

But, although it is estimated 34,000 customers sign-up for the fast internet system every week, a number of locations, particularly in rural areas, are unable to take advantage of it.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has launched a national campaign in a move reflecting the concerns of rural businesses which are fighting a two-tier broadband infrastructure.

CLA regional director for the South-East John Biron said: "In today's market, rural businesses simply can't afford to lag behind their urban competitors in terms of their communications capabilities."

Outside the main urban areas, a large number of Sussex telephone exchanges are not broadband-

enabled, including Horsted Keynes, Hurstpierpoint and Newhaven.

People in some of these areas have started campaigns to spur interest in the system.

Experts such as Mike Wilkinson, who heads the Department of Health's Medical Leadership Project, have said consultation is needed to ensure broadband brings benefits to the different professions.

He said: "Without good leadership the tools and products won't be used."

Alison Ritchie, BT's recently-appointed chief broadband officer, said:

"This is an important milestone in our progress towards the challenging target of one million broadband connections by next summer and five million by 2006. The broadband bandwagon is gaining momentum."

BT has installed broadband equipment in more than 1,100 exchanges, which serve more than two-thirds of UK homes and businesses and about 73 per cent of current internet users. It believes coverage could increase to more than 80 per cent of households using technical innovation and local partnerships.

More than 200,000 people had used BT's broadband registration scheme to express their interest in high-speed internet access and 21 exchanges had been designated for upgrading.

Each exchange has a trigger level and when enough potential users have registered their interest, BT designates it for an upgrade.

Many people have criticised the registration method. Earlier this year, the Horsted Keynes campaign site attracted more than 4,000 visitors.

The site, edited by electronics engineer Robert Philpot, said the village was still without broadband and people had experienced difficulties registering for broadband.

www.bt.com
www.cla.org.uk
www.horstedkeynes.com/broadband.html
www.adsl4hurstpierpoint.com