YORK'S drive to attract inward investment has been given a massive boost by today's double e-announcement by BT.

The city will be one of the first in Britain to benefit from broadband ADSL (assymetric digital subscriber line) technology - basically turbo-charged phone lines that carry data at up to 40 times the speed of a normal modem.

From later this month small and medium-sized companies in central York will be able to use Openworld BT's broadband ADSL Internet service and the BTnet Start range of ADSL Internet access packages as well as ADSL options offered by other service providers.

At the same time, BT is making three business parks - Holgate Park, York Business Park and York Science Park - official eLocations.

This means they will be served by a robust dual optical fibre network, providing full security backup for all communications requirements.

Today, Paul Murphy, the man responsible for attracting inward investment to York, hailed the announcement - and revealed it has already resulted in an inquiry from a potential investor.

"The significance of this cannot be overstated," said Mr Murphy, Chief Executive of York Inward Investment Board.

"ADSL technology has been commonplace in the USA for some years, and the fact that it has now come to York will give us a real edge."

Science City York successfully lobbied for York to be given ADSL more quickly than had originally been planned.

Science City project manager Anna Rooke said it was vital if York companies were to remain competitive for the correct communications infrastructure to be in place to support their growing needs.

"York is now regarded as an outstanding centre of excellence in bioscience, ICT and heritage and arts technology on a national and international basis," she said.

"There is significant demand for broadband communications from e-Science York companies and their support has been vital in our efforts to secure ADSL for York.

"Science City York has been driving this issue forward to make sure the conditions in the City are right to enable business growth in all sectors of the economy."

She said: "Science City York will continue to ensure that broadband communication needs remains a priority area in order to meet the current and future needs of dynamic and fast-growing companies in York."

Craig Chadburn, BT strategic development manager, said: "The communications technology now available in the city will help drive business growth among entrepreneurs and business in the city's knowledge and key firms including those within the city's information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

"BT supports the Prime Minister's vision of a broadband Britain where eBusiness drives prosperity. BT is working to make that vision a reality and believes today's announcements help put York firmly on the map as a key centre in broadband Britain.

"In our e-commerce driven economy, a lightning response is vital. BT has made long-term infrastructure investments in York which have ensured that whatever the communications requirements of the city's high technology and IT or knowledge-based businesses are, we can accommodate them."

PICTURE: WAY AHEAD: Paul Murphy, Craig Chadburn and Anna Rooke with the new BT Fibre-optics equipment Picture: David Harrison