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By Will Sturgeon, 22 August 2003 11:37

NEWS BT has formed a partnership with development organisation Yorkshire Forward and business group Business Links to increase awareness of the benefits of broadband and ecommerce in the Yorkshire and Humber region. As part of the drive, BT will broadband-enable 18 exchanges across Yorkshire, bringing high-speed internet access to more than 10,000 extra businesses and 100,000 new homes. By the end of November nearly 90 per cent of the region's households will be connected to a broadband-enabled exchange. Pierre Danon, CEO at BT Retail, said in a statement: "The wide variety of partners co-operating for the economic development of Yorkshire are achieving great results, maximising the number of local companies which can benefit from the increased efficiency and productivity which broadband offers. This is excellent news for businesses in the area, especially for smaller operations that can now better compete with large companies." "However, the partners recognise that there is still more to be done and together we are working towards even greater broadband awareness," he added. Susan Johnson, executive director, business development at Yorkshire Forward, said: "[This initiative is] helping us to grow the region's businesses through the improvement of infrastructure. Using the DTI Broadband Fund and European Funding, it builds on the success of other Yorkshire Forward projects. "Yorkshire Forward is working with its partners to ensure that this new technology is brought to all parts of the region where there is proven demand. This initiative will extend both the broadband footprint and choice of technology to many more businesses and households in the region."