Virtually every home and business in Wiltshire will have access to broadband by summer 2005, BT has promised.

BT has fast forwarded its plans to deliver broadband from 83.6 per cent to 99.9 per cent of homes and businesses in the county.

The new approach involves rolling out ADSL broadband to a further 21 exchanges in Wiltshire, replacing the broadband registration trigger scheme.

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

"Now, as we move into more and more rural areas and we have a clearer picture of growing demand, there are real benefits to be gained through a planned roll out. It means we can get broadband to far more people in a short timeframe."

The rollout programme for the 21 exchanges in Wiltshire will be announced by the end of June but the two smallest exchanges, Wylye and Oxenwood, will not be included at this stage.