BT is to create a nation-wide database to map demand for broadband in the UK.

The monster telco wants punters and businesses to register their interest in receiving ADSL.

If enough people in each area are prepared to subscribe to ADSL - then BT will go-ahead and upgrade exchanges for broadband.

BT claims the database will create a "true barometer of demand" in areas where it claims that, up until now, it has not been commercially viable to upgrade to broadband.

Said BT Wholesale chief exec Paul Reynolds: "People have been claiming that there is sufficient demand for broadband in their areas if only they had a way to channel their interest to us. Now we have created just such a scheme.

"Businesses and consumers can register their interest with service providers who will record it on the broadband registration database.

"The demand and the target levels will be clearly visible to all and will help individuals, communities, local authorities and service providers to have a direct impact on broadband roll out."

BT Wholesale's broadband database will go live on July 1. It will also publish the threshold at which the level of demand makes individual exchanges commercially viable for broadband upgrade.

Depending on the exchange, thresholds range from 200 to 500 user registrations. ®