Following successful trials in eight sites across the country BT Wholesale plans to make 'ADSL Exchange Activate' available commercially from July this year. The scheme involves a sponsoring body which has a social, development or commercial interest in bringing broadband to specific areas. The sponsor pays a lump sum to get groups of 30 customers connected to ADSL equipment for a three year period.

Bruce Stanford, products director of BT Wholesale, said: "BT has just announced a radical plan which takes the potential reach of its conventional ADSL broadband to 90 per cent of the country.* But even with that programme there will be gaps to fill in, and that is where our Activate solution will be able to help.

"The trials have shown conclusively how organisations can work together to achieve a collective goal and set an example for others. Customers have been absolutely delighted with the fast, always-on internet service they have been connected to. In many cases it has transformed the way people live and work.

"BT is firmly committed to making broadband available in as many parts of the UK as possible, and this Exchange Activate product will have a crucial role to play in achieving this."

With Exchange Activate, the sponsor will be able to order ADSL service on a nominated exchange in blocks of 30 connections; the first block will cost £45,000 and subsequent blocks on the same exchange £30,000. The fee covers installation and rental charges for a three year period, at the end of which normal rental charges will take over.

Wales: In Corwen the partnering organisations which have provided funding and are delivering service include Denbighshire County Council in conjunction with eCommerce consultants, The ITC (UK) Ltd, working with service provider Net-Work Internet Ltd. In Penrhyndeudraeth the local partners are the community regeneration company, Deudraeth Cyf and the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) with BT Openworld as the service provider.

England: The East of England Development Agency sponsored the inclusion of exchanges at Burnham Market in Norfolk and Shottisham in Suffolk working with BT Openworld and BT Retail. In Hampshire, the New Forest Business Partnership, backed by member and technology consultant, Alistair Banks, is sponsored the inclusion of the Lyndhurst exchange in the trial working with service provider iZR.

Northern Ireland: Omagh District Council sponsored the inclusion of Beragh in the trial working with UTV internet.

Scotland: Highlands and Islands Enterprise sponsored the inclusion of exchanges at Drumnadrochit, near Loch Ness, and Muir of Ord, working with Scotnet as service provider.