One of the largest public-private sector partnerships in Wiltshire is helping to bring broadband to this rural county.

Some £7m is being invested to increase access to broadband for residents and businesses and to help those who already have access to take full advantage of the technology.

As a result eight in ten homes in Wiltshire and nine in ten homes in Swindon are now connected to a DSL-enabled exchange. Other exchanges could also be converted to DSL as part of the initiative.

Those behind the "e-Wiltshire" scheme recently opened two "experience centres" in Salisbury and Swindon so that people could try out broadband for themselves. A third centre is to be opened in Trowbridge in six weeks' time.

Last year £1.4m of public sector cash was used to help bring broadband to Yorkshire and the Humber region.

The scheme, sponsored by the region's development agency and part-backed by European money, used the cash to provide training and support for 1,800 businesses to hook up to broadband. ®

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