UK - BT is surveying communities to identify demand for high-speed broadband

[sky] BT plans to survey local communities to identify where the strongest demand is for high-speed broadband services.

The nationwide study will help the telecoms company identify any "hot spots" for the technology so it can tailor investment accordingly.

BT plans to deliver the broadband technology to two-thirds of the population by 2015, meaning it still needs to reach more than 12m premises over the next four years.

The consumer demand survey - called the Race To Infinity - will allow members of the public and communities to vote for fibre-based broadband to be set up in their area, meaning the company invests in the places that are the most commercially viable.

However, a minimum of 1,000 votes is required to be eligible for the competition, which means exchanges with less that 1,000 premises - often some of the most remote areas in the UK - will not be considered.

The five exchanges showing the highest demand will be included in high-speed broadband investment over the next few years.

Communications minister Ed Vaizey said he "warmly welcomed" an initiative for private-sector investment in fibre networks and applauded BT for "engaging consumers to ensure that investment reaches the people who want it the most."

Patrick Goss, editor of Techradar.com, told Sky News that superfast broadband is going to be one of the most important ways of "future proofing" homes, particuarly as more people use the internet to watch television programmes and for online gaming.

However, Virgin Media claims its investment in fibre optic broadband far surpasses the money put aside by BT to upgrade its network.

"BT's scheme, on the surface, is certainly a nice idea and a positive step, but by excluding communities of less than 1,000 it seems to me that it's more about getting a bit of publicity than actually putting its money where its mouth is," said Mr Goss.

"Five exchanges really isn't very many, and to really win the public's approval I would say that the company needs to invest heavily in trying to get not only the big towns and cities upgraded to fibre optic as soon as possible, but also putting up the cash to reach the smaller communities that desperately need good internet access."

BT is expected to spend £2.5bn to reach two-thirds of the population by 2015 and the telecoms giant has said that additional funds will be needed from outside of the private sector.

BT To Pinpoint Areas That Most Need Broadband