A MULTI-million pound project could mean the wait is over for businesses and individuals campaigning for access to broadband technology in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace one of the largest private and public sector partnerships ever seen in the county is hoping to make high-speed broadband communication available to most businesses and thousands of households.

The project, set up by a collection of businesses individuals, has raised £7m to explore the possibility of wireless connection, which could overcome the headache facing thousands of would be users in remote parts of the area including Lydiard Millicent and parts of Wootton Bassett.

Essentially broadband technology means greater connection speeds to the internet and has traditionally relied on providers such as BT laying cables for connection but only if enough interest in an area is generated. Wireless technology overcomes this problem.

Dennis Grant, chief executive of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, said: "There is desperate need to get people and businesses onto broadband and any moves to make this happen must be welcomed.

"There are a lot patches that cannot be connected but there are alternatives like wireless broadband connection, which works in black spots.

"But perhaps the most important issue is getting people understand what broadband means to businesses.

"E-commerce has got to come strong in this country logistics movements, online catalogues and trade are vitally important and in many ways we lag behind countries in Europe because we don't seem to understand what broadband means."

It is claimed Smartplace will make business more competitive and help develop the skill levels of people who live and work in the county.

It is hoped that the project will also improve people's access to information and services.

Support and training will be offered through community centres and online remote training will be provided to develop skills in small businesses and rural communities.

For some the wait has been long overdue.

IT consultant Dwight Doyley, 34, of Lydiard Millicent has launched a campaign to get the Purton telephone exchange connected to high speed internet access.

He wants the exchange, which also serves broadband black spots such as Lydiard Millicent, Purton Stoke, Greatfield and Common Platt, to have access.

But before this can be achieved BT has to upgrade the exchange with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) the technology that enables phone lines to deliver high-speed Internet connection.

"Most of the week I work from home and I spend more or less all day on the internet," he said.

"I need fast access and it's frustrating not to be able to get it where I live. In the worst case scenario we could end up with certain areas becoming a technological black hole."