Net gain

For they can enjoy Internet access that is up to 40 times faster than services available in other parts of the country, using their existing telephone lines.

Less than 500 BT exchanges in only a dozen towns and cities nationwide, and so far excluding some major centres such as Liverpool, have been upgraded to handle the new technology, known as Broadband ADSL.

And less than half-a-dozen suppliers, out of more than 200 Internet providers in the UK, can offer the new service immediately.

The new technology is unmetered, offering 9 to 5 or even 24-hour Internet connection without call charges.

But a place on a waiting list is the best offer that most consumers can find when they try to order it . And it is not available at all in many areas.

Locally, the picture is brighter. BT engineers have upgraded exchanges in Bury to take the new service, and Rochdale-based ISP Zen Internet does not have a waiting list.

Zen are supplying the "always on" broadband access to business customers on enabled telephone exchanges nationwide.