BT's stranglehold on broadband technologies is gradually being loosened by rival operators, and take-up of broadband services leapt forward last year. The government's desire to have 100 per cent coverage by 2005 may now be realised.

The latest figures from Oftel stand at around 3.3 million broadband subscribers, and coverage extending to more than 85 per cent of the country. BT expects to push this to 90 per cent by the spring.

Depending on where they live, people can choose from technologies such as ADSL, cable, fixed wireless and satellite. But the remaining 10 per cent of the country will be a problem.

Partnerships will be vital to make it financially worthwhile for operators, involving a fresh look at solutions such as local loop unbundling as a means of rolling out services.

Operators and providers are also offering a range of speeds and different packages, which have seen a relaxation of the definition of broadband. Businesses and households can now choose services from as low as 128Kbps and - for a price - go to 2Mbps and beyond.

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