About 1,300 extra businesses across West Sussex will have access to broadband internet by the end of March.

High-speed internet is being delivered to six new areas over the coming weeks as part of a £2 million investment programme announced yesterday.

BT will bring forward its investment in Arundel, Pulborough and Cowfold, supplying 5,350 households and 840 businesses by March 31.

Bolney, Sharpthorne and Birdham exchanges will also be switched on by the same date, covering a further 3,270 households and 460 businesses.

The move follows agreement between BT and the West Sussex Enterprise Partnership (WSEP). West Sussex County Council, the South-East of England Development Agency and Business Link Sussex are also involved in the scheme.

Its aim is to deliver broadband to as many homes and businesses in West Sussex as possible by 2005, particularly in remote areas.

BT's announcement was welcomed by business leaders who feared regional variations in broadband access would create a two-tier economy.

They say high-speed internet connections are needed to help businesses stay competitive.

Most firms in West Sussex are linked to a telephone exchange capable of delivering broadband but BT will only install it where there is sufficient demand.

Last year the company set trigger levels, which must be met before the exchanges are enabled for broadband use. It is then up to public bodies, such as councils, to promote the service.

These triggers are met by people logging on to the BT web site and confirming their interest in broadband.

There are still 18 exchange areas in West Sussex, mainly in rural areas, which have yet to show sufficient interest in broadband to warrant its introduction.

Three villages, East Marden, Plaistow and Sutton, are beyond the six-kilometre range of broadband cable and will require alternative technology such as wireless internet.

One business which has benefitted from broadband is online pet shop Puddlepet, based in Selsey, which went live in 2001.

Puddlepet co-owner Steve Newman said: "Our web site made a huge difference but we really wanted the instant accessibility of broadband to widen the scope of what we could offer.

"Broadband has given us the growth and efficiency we could never have achieved the old-fashioned way."

Alistair Smith, WSEP chief executive, said: "Broadband access is seen as a catalyst for increasing economic prosperity, skills and business growth."

Patricia Vaz, BT regional director for the South-East, said: "BT is committed to working with the public and private sectors to develop awareness and extend availability and take-up of broadband throughout the UK.

Tuesday February 17, 2004