HIGH-speed, high-tech Internet connections are on their way to communities in the Eden Valley this autumn thanks to £1 billion Broadband investment by BT.

The advent of Broadband will mean that households and business in the area will benefit from access to the Internet which works many times faster than the current connection via a conventional phone line, allowing quick downloading of music, films, pictures and other information. Users will be able to stay permanently linked to the World Wide Web while being able to use their telephones at the same time.

BT is in the process of upgrading 49 telephone exchanges in Cumbria to enable Broadband connection in more than 40,000 households in Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Brough, Langwathby, Orton, Hackthorpe, Skelton, Culgaith, and Newbiggin-on-Lune.

When the work is completed in the Eden Valley, 98.9 per cent of homes and businesses in Cumbria will be connected to a Broadband enabled exchange.

Ian Warren, spokesman for the Learning and Skills Council Cumbria, said: "This is obviously very good news for the area. It is going to bring new business opportunities and new ways of learning which are particularly suitable for a rural areas with dispersed populations."

Brian Crouch, BT's North West regional director, said: "People have been keen to know when they will have access to Broadband and this news from BT will allow them to plan ahead with confidence."

Mr Crouch said that now BT had "virtually universal Broadband availability" in Cumbria, the company could turn its attention to encouraging homes and businesses to exploit its potential.

"It is our job to get these messages across and to ensure that businesses and consumers are able to benefit from the Broadband revolution," he said.

Carl Bendelow, president of Appleby Chamber of Trade, lives in Kirkby Thore and will soon be getting Broadband at home. Mr Bendelow said: "I use it at work and once you have used it you realise all the great advantages it has."

Mr Bendelow said the speed of access to the Internet offered great opportunities for both business and the community.

So when will Broadband come to your community? Dates for the exchange up-grades in Eden are: Brough October 13, Langwathby October 20.

Orton, November 3.

Appleby, November 3, Hackthorpe, November 10.

Kirkby Stephen, November 10.

Culgaith, November 17.

Newbiggin-on-Lune February 2, 2005.