Sussex firms confused by bandwidths, bursties and contention ratios found out the facts about new technology.

A conference organised by the West Sussex Economic Forum to take the anxiety out of the latest advances in communications found a ready audience.

Jim Brathwaite, chairman of the forum's technology task group, said: "The majority of companies in West Sussex are now well versed in using electronic mail. Broadband sounds more complicated than it is.

"It just means you can use internet, email and phone at the same time from a single telephone line.

"With government targets set at everyone having access to broadband by 2005 and only a low take up to date of just over one per cent across the country, there is still much to be done by suppliers of the technology to ensure accessibility for all.

"One of the key issues being tackled by the forum is to ensure an adequate access of broadband for rural businesses, which are significant contributors to the West Sussex economy."

It is estimated asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL) will be available to 66 per cent of companies by the end of next month with further rollout when viable. There are satellite and wireless trials later this year, with the particular focus on satellite for rural areas.

Dominic Macdonald Wallace, managing director of Crawley-based ICT Strategies, told how broadband had saved his company thousands of pounds.

He said: "Broadband has transformed the way we work. With a team of seven accessing the internet and emails using ordinary modems, we estimated we were losing about £80 a day in staff dial-up time.

"We have set up an intranet, which means we can access working files instantly, and an electronic library for our clients, which has given us the edge over our competitors in securing new contracts."

The conference heard about ways of accessing broadband, ADSL, satellite, cable and wireless, each with the benefit of predictable costs, instant access and easy installation.

Mr Brathwaite said: "We want to hear from businesses so we can put their case to suppliers, who are urged to listen to customer needs. Working as a partnership will give us the edge in seeking funding to ensure all West Sussex businesses have the opportunity to access broadband at affordable costs."