BROADBAND services could reach nearly 100 per cent of Wiltshire homes by next summer under plans announced by BT this week.

The company plans to increase the number of homes and business that can access the service from 83.6 per cent at the moment to 99.9 per cent by 2005.

Lizzie Beesley, BT regional director, said: "We want to deliver a truly broadband Britain that includes everyone who lives and works in Wiltshire."

The company plans to replace its existing registration trigger scheme, which matches investment to demand, with a planned roll out to a further 21 exchanges in the county. The roll out programme for the exchanges in Wiltshire will be announced by the end of June, bringing forward previously published broadband switch-on dates.