THE Review's page one story last week on the lack of broadband internet access in the Forest and Wye Valley has sparked a wave of interest and many calls for BT to act swiftly on the problem.

Robin Smurthwaite of Synapse, a Whitecroft company which creates video and website presentations for a wide range of customers, put it in perspective by saying they regarded broadband connection more important than improving Forest roads.

"It is going to affect the whole way we work. We are going to get firms looking down a checklist when they want to relocate and if they see the Forest has no broadband they are going to move on," he said.

"If BT is waiting for 400 people it is never going to happen. There should be investment now – why spend £5million on upgrading the A4136 when you could make a far more positive contribution by investing in broadband? Without it we're going to be left behind."

There have also been calls from organisations saying they are able to supply access for households and firms either avoiding BT via satellite or privately using special equipment via BT lines.

While the Review is unable to verify any claims being made in respect of such systems, it is becoming quite clear that there is an enormous demand for broadband services.

This raises the question of why BT is insisting on fairly massive statements of interest on behalf of prospective broadband customers before it will itself install the necessary equipment at local exchanges.

Coutts de Vere Technologies, a firm with Chepstow representatives which says it can link firms and individuals up the broadband through BT lines, says it would need as few as 40 interested parties to go ahead (BT needs a 'threshold' of around 400 to be crossed before it will act).

The firm's website, http://www.cdv-technologies">www.cdv-technologies. com offers connections for £79.95 and £27.95 a month (prices ex-VAT).

A Coutts de Vere spokesman said BT was now required to 'unbundle' local lines to make this possible – and line connection was superior to satellite services because there was virtually no transmission lag.

However another caller said further interesting developments involving satellite transmission were close.

But by far the largest number of callers and letter writers suggested it was vital BT or the government became proactive to install what is regarded as an essential key for unlocking the Forest's potential.