NEARLY all of North Yorkshire will be able to access the Internet using broadband by the end of July next year, BT has pledged.

Fifty-four exchanges are to be given broadband connections in the latest stage of investment that has already seen more than £1bn spent on the UK broadband network.

BT also announced another step in its drive to boost its new wave services by cutting broadband prices.

More than 80 per cent of homes and businesses in North Yorkshire are connected to a broadband-enabled BT exchange.

The company said the latest stage of its programme will take the figure to 99 per cent.

Together, the 54 exchanges that will be upgraded supply more than 41,000 households. BT will begin work on enabling the exchanges in October.

BT regional manager Trevor Higgins said: "People have been keen to know when they will have access to broadband and this news from BT will allow them to plan ahead with confidence.

"Now that we will have virtually universal broadband availability in North Yorkshire, the focus must inevitably turn to driving take-up, to ensure that many more businesses exploit broadband's speed and cost-effectiveness.

"This is vital if they are to remain competitive in the national and global marketplace."

The 19 smallest exchanges in the county will not be included in the upgrade programme at this stage.

For a list of exchanges due for upgrading, and a timetable of work, visit www.bt.com/ broadband.