BROADBAND access to the Internet using ADSL is now available to 68 per cent of Kent businesses, according to service provider Star Internet.

It says that the initial problems of ADSL have been overcome and firms have much to gain from switching to broadband. Organisations that it would benefit include smaller businesses looking for "value for money" Internet access or those that do not need constant uptime, download large quantities of information from the Internet, or require fixed cost Internet access.

Jos White, Star's founder and marketing director, said: "There has been so much rhetoric surrounding ADSL over recent years that many businesses feel bewildered by the whole issue. Although it has recently been labelled as something of a white elephant, I would argue that ADSL has matured and is now a stable business platform that can deliver on business needs."