Broadband, home phone and digital TV provider BT has announced plans to launch a nationwide survey to identify regions with the strongest demand for high-speed fibre broadband services.

The firm said that the first-of-its-kind study, Race to Infinity, will help map potential demand for broadband and identify "hot spots" for the technology which it said will influence its future roll out plans.

The announcement follows BT's plans to deliver fibre broadband technology to two-thirds of the UK by 2015, with four million premises being covered by the end of 2010.

BT said that by participating in the survey, communities will have the opportunity to make their voices heard and influence the firm's decision about where else to deploy the remaining 12 million or so connections.

Gavin Patterson, chief executive, BT Retail, said...

"We want to hear from towns and villages across the UK to help to influence BT's future deployment plans."

Communications minister Ed Vaizey said...

"Whenever I travel around the UK I hear the same message - people want access to superfast broadband in their communities."

He continued...

"I warmly welcome any initiative that will lead to private sector investment in fibre networks, and applaud the way BT is engaging consumers to ensure that investment reaches the people who want it the most."