Satellite technology is being used to link up more rural areas of the West Midlands to broadband - thanks to a grant from the Advantage West Midlands-funded West Midlands Networking Company.

Last week it was the turn of homes and businesses in Admington, Warwickshire to be 'switched on' to broadband, as part of the Advantage West Midlands sponsored Rural Broadband Access Project, which aims to provide 100 per cent of homes and businesses in the West Midlands with access to broadband technology.

Communities across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire will all be provided with access to broad-band as part of the scheme.

Part one of the project, the enablement of 24 BT Exchanges with broadband was completed in May this year, taking broadband coverage in the West Midlands to 99.89 per cent.

The rollout of satellite technology by Avanti will increase coverage to 99.93 per cent by July.

In October, following the final phase of the project, 99.97 per cent of premises will enjoy broadband access.

Grants will be available for any households or businesses that still cannot access broadband after this date.

Ian Williams, manager of Admington Lane Units said: "Communication is very important in business and having broadband means that we will now be able to communicate on an equal footing with other businesses.

"The estate can now offer a more complete service to tenants and prospective tenants; many businesses nowadays cannot operate without broadband."

Richard Hyde, chairman at West Midlands Networking Company, also said: "By the end of 2006 we expect the West Midlands to be the first UK region to be 100 per cent broadband enabled.

"This is a hugely significant milestone that will result in economic benefits for the whole of the region. Our task now is to encourage people to take advantage of the broad-band technologies available."

Matthew O'Connor, managing director of Avanti, added: "Avanti is pleased to be involved in making broadband available to even more communities across the region.

"Once broadband is switched on, we will to continue to work hard to ensure all local communities and businesses take advantage of broadband. We want everyone to reap the maximum benefit by realising that whatever you do online, you do it better with broadband - whether you are a local business, homeworker, family or community organisation."

John Maples, MP for Stratford on Avon, congratulated West Midlands Networking Company and its sponsoring of the Rural Broadband Access Project.

"From today, homes and businesses in Admington will be switched on to broadband and this will make a tremendous difference to internet access, which the rest of us already take for granted.

"I look forward to the day when quick and cheap internet access is available to all my constituents."

* To find out whether your postcode is part of the RBAP enablement programme visit www.thepowerofbroadband.org.uk