BT yesterday pledged to bring fast, always-on internet access to the whole of the UK by 2005 and called on the government and industry to work together to make Broadband Britain a reality.

BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen said the government had a role to play in "stimulating demand, motivating people and making sure local partnerships are working".

BT received the backing of Tony Blair, who welcomed the plan in his speech yesterday to the CBI annual conference.

But while BT has pledged to deliver 100% coverage, 600 of its 5,000 exchanges are outside the plan be cause enabling them to provide broadband is uneconomic. These exchanges serve about 100,000 people, mainly in remote areas such as Papa Stour and Mallaig Soay in Scotland.

BT hopes that regional development agencies and local groups will help fund broadband in these areas.

Peter Radley, director of the wired region programme for the South East England Development Agency, explained that communities not covered by BT's plans could use a range of technologies such as wireless access and satellite to get broadband. Some areas may qualify for EU grants.

"There are things that can be done," he said.