A HOST of communities across North Yorkshire mov-ed a step closer to securing broadband yesterday when BT announced plans to complete the roll-out of the high speed Internet.

BT has allocated target or "trigger" registration levels to 86 exchanges and aims to bring the improved Internet service within reach of every business and household in North Yorkshire by 2005.

The exchange registration scheme encourages customers to show there is a demand for broadband in their area and when registrations reach the agreed level, BT then upgrades their exchange.

BT now say they will upgrade every telephone exchange where there is sufficient demand and look for public sector support to try and generate more awareness of the benefits.

Brian Greenwood, BT's Yorkshire and the Humber regional director, said: "BT's ambition is that everybody in North Yorkshire can be connected to a broadband-enabled BT exchange. If they can demonstrate that the demand is there, BT will invest, in confidence that we are meeting our customers' needs.

"However, we will be also looking for involvement and support by the public sector. Local councils, regional development agencies and other public organisations can help raise levels of awareness and accelerate broadband roll-out."

BT is also looking at solutions for people who live in already enabled areas, but who cannot get ADSL broadband because they live more than three miles from the exchange.

It is currently trialing new wireless technology and is working to extend the physical reach of broadband from enabled exchanges.

Mr Greenwood said: "BT's plans include everybody who lives and works in every part of the county.

"Our registration scheme has succeeded in stimulating demand for broadband in all areas where exchange trigger levels had been set.

"The universal success of the scheme, and the unanimous support it has encouraged among communities, mean that we are now able to set trigger levels for these new exchanges."

Pickering, Bedale, Old Catterick and Catterick Camp will be switched on to Broadband tomorrow and Great Ayton is due to go live in February.