CAMPAIGNS to bring a speedy internet link to north Suffolk communities have received a welcome boost with all-important "trigger levels" being set by BT.

CAMPAIGNS to bring a speedy internet link to north Suffolk communities have received a welcome boost with all-important "trigger levels" being set by BT.

The latest broadband connection to the internet is seen as vital in attracting new businesses to the area and helping those already established in north Suffolk to compete with the rest of the country.

As towns around the region began to get on-line with the new service _ up to ten times faster than conventional dial-up systems _ business leaders in Halesworth feared the town could get left behind.

"The problem was that BT had not set a trigger level for the area so no one knew when we could expect to receive broadband," said Philip Reeve, chairman of Halesworth Business Connections.

"Now we have our trigger level we can all work together, and getting broadband would not only be a boost to businesses, it will help schools and home users," he said.

BT has set a trigger level for Halesworth of 500 people registering their interest in receiving broadband.

Lee Harper, of the town's internet café in Warner's Wine Bar, believes that the target is achievable.

"I think that a trigger level of 500 is very fair for a town the size of Halesworth.

"We have been encouraging people to register their interest in receiving broadband for some time but now we have something to aim for I am sure more people will get involved," he said.

Even without a trigger level 184 people from Halesworth have registered their interest in receiving broadband so the town is 36% towards its target.

Anyone wanting to register an interest in receiving broadband should visit www.bt.com/broadband and follow the prompts.