SO York has been branded as the "Cambridge of the North" and is trying to market itself as a centre of excellence for developing information technology industries.

Well, as a small home-based IT business, I do not subscribe to this ethos. I live in Wigginton, not exactly out in the "sticks", and have been eagerly anticipating broadband Internet access.

The benefits of this to my business would be tremendous.

So, despite being bombarded with national and local advertising campaigns from BT and NTL, stating that I can enjoy "blistering Internet speeds" today - I was disappointed to learn my local exchange (Haxby) was not equipped to deal with the service.

Very frustrating given the way York is marketing itself.

A recent letter from BT proudly announced that my local exchange had been upgraded and was "broadband capable". A friendly BT engineer came out, did some tests and went away. Alas it turns out my line is not suitable for broadband.

Given that I live only four miles from the city centre in a densely populated area of York, I am astounded that one of the world's largest telecommunications companies cannot supply the essential services it promotes, especially in a city marketing itself to the IT sector.

Jaimie Dobson,

Helmsley Grove,

Wigginton, York.

Updated: 08:28 Saturday, June 29, 2002