Can I get Broadband in my area?

Availability of broadband has been a hot issue for some time. As ADSL broadband allows large amounts of digital information to be sent over ordinary copper telephone lines, the telephone exchange where the lines meet often requires an expensive upgrade. With demand soaring, BT is upgrading its exchanges rapidly, so the first step is to check whether your local exchange is compatible.

In some areas the distance from the exchange is crucial. ADSL can only offer broadband data speeds where the telephone line between home or office and the telephone exchange is a maximum of 5.5km, roughly 2.5 miles, long. So in some circumstances you may also need to check the distance from your exchange.

Step 1. Check if your local exchange is broadband enabled.

Go to http://www.bt.com/broadband/index.jsp and enter your BT telephone number or postcode in the 'Availability Checker' box.

If your telephone number shows you can receive broadband in your area, simply choose and order a product via the BT web site. If you were not successful don't worry, there's still a good chance of receiving a different type of broadband connection and BT may still be able to upgrade your exchange if demand in your area is high enough.

Step 2: Check if you can get another broadband product.

Although around 80% of the UK market is enabled you may not yet be able to receive broadband via your local exchange. In these cases you can choose BT Broadband Satellite services, which don't require ADSL - enabled exchanges or even revert to ISDN products. You can find details of BTs ISDN2e products via the BT store at bt.com/store.

Step 3: Encourage an upgrade of your local exchange.

Although BT is upgrading exchanges rapidly with over 400 already completed, the company needs some idea of demand to prioritise which exchanges should be upgraded when. As a result the company is encouraging users to form campaigns.

You can register a campaign at www.bt.com/choosebroadband which will give you leaflets, flyers and adverts to distribute locally. Once enough local residents have registered an interest in upgrading to broadband (typically between 200 and 750 depending on the cost of upgrading the exchange) it generally takes between six and ten weeks for the exchange to be upgraded.