BROADBAND could be extended across North Yorkshire next summer after a preferred supplier was appointed.

The move would give rural businesses in the county the same advantages as those in major towns and cities, a senior councillor said.

County Councillor Carl Les welcomed the appointment by NyNet - an organisation established by the county council, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the Government's broadband development agency ADIT - of BT as its preferred supplier of a "next generation" network.

The agreement envisages the establishment of a high-speed fibre-optic network across the county in late summer next year, allowing access to a range of internet-based services for businesses and householders.

Coun Les, the county council's executive member for corporate services, said: "This important step brings the opportunity to revitalise North Yorkshire through new business and social opportunities much closer.

"Compared with much of the UK, many places in North Yorkshire are at risk of being left behind in the provision of state-of-the-art broadband services.

"We are determined that, with NyNet, organisations and people in the county will be at the forefront of new developments and will have access to the same advances and advantages as people living and working in major cities like Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester."

Six months ago, the county council ploughed £500,000 into NyNet towards the project.

John Anderson, BT's Yorkshire and Humber regional director, said: "This is an exciting initiative to bring the enormous potential of high-speed information and communications services to the full range of public sector organisations across North Yorkshire.

"BT is committed to making this project a huge success as a partner, deploying our skills as the provider of world-leading technological expertise and knowledge."

The final stages of planning and work towards awarding contracts have begun.

Broadband provision in rural areas has been restricted by geography and sparse populations, which meant that companies could not always justify the investment.

A year ago, small businesses on the North York Moors began campaigning for government grants to allow them to receive broadband, after studies showed that 5,000 households and 2,000 businesses in the county were still unable to receive the service