A RALLYING cry was last night issued to community groups for help in bringing super-fast broadband to Suffolk.

After Suffolk County Council pledged up to �10million towards bringing better broadband to the county, the government announced Suffolk would be one of five areas kicking off a super-fast broadband programme.

The Better Broadband for Suffolk campaign has since launched a business survey designed to show the level of demand for super-fast broadband in the county.

The campaign is now poised to step up a gear by launching a further survey for community and consumer groups to complete and show their support.

'We have been really encouraged by the response of businesses to this fundamentally important survey,' said Mark Bee, leader of Suffolk County Council.

'Bringing better broadband to Suffolk is fundamental to the growth of our economy.

'The more businesses we hear from, the more we can show the demand there is to bring super-fast broadband to our hardworking companies.'

There will also be a Broadband Planning Conference on March 9 to be held in Bury St Edmunds, which will host about 250 key figures from across Suffolk such as MPs, business leaders, public sector representatives and broadband providers.

It will also see the campaign's commercial plans go out to consultation.

'We are delighted to be able to announce this important conference,' said Mr Bee.

'In Bury we will launch the one-month consultation on our plans to use public funds to extend better broadband beyond commercially-funded deployments.

'It will be an opportunity for businesses and providers to give us their view, face to face, on local requirements.

'We have seen that businesses want to ensure better broadband for Suffolk becomes a reality.

'Therefore it is also vital that everyone else lets us know of what they need from super-fast broadband.

'We want to hear from the young, the old, from families, from teachers, nurses and any other providers of services.'

He added: 'This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We would encourage everyone to take a few moments, visit our website and complete the survey.

'It could make the difference and is an important part of us demonstrating the demand there is out there.'

For more information, visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/broadband