A DERBYSHIRE MP is backing calls for a quicker internet connection in Hilton after BT revealed it had no plans to improve the problem in the next three years.

Broadband connection in the village has got worse as the number of homes in the area has increased.

In a bid to get the issue resolved, residents set up a pressure group calling for BT to improve the connection speed, which is covered by the Etwall exchange two miles away.

South Derbyshire MP Mark Todd is now backing the campaign after discovering that the telephone firm has no plans to include the Etwall exchange in its three-year modernisation programme.

He said: "Hilton is a very large, substantially recently-built village. The mix of housing would indicate very high demand for broadband services.

"But the village is served by the Etwall exchange which was installed when the village was very small. The exchange needs to be improved with fibre optic technology, which would speed up the internet connection, but BT says it is not in its modernisation programme scheduled until 2012.

"One must wonder what criteria BT uses for investment? In what circumstances is a new exchange provided? Or is it the general practice to simply extend the network from existing exchanges provided based on a map long-since outdated?"

Mr Todd has written to BT asking for the Etwall exchange to be included in its modernisation programme and also for the firm to re-evaluate where exchanges are positioned in the area.

He added: "People depend on the internet for many aspects of their lives. Old exchange provision shouldn't be carved in stone. Population growth must be accommodated."

Hilton resident Simon Muschamp, 37, struggles to use the internet in the evening because of the slow speed.

He said: "The internet is no longer seen as just a nice thing to have, it is something that is essential in daily life.

"I would like to work from home from time to time but because of the poor internet speed it is simply not possible."

A spokesman for BT said the company has been in contact with Mr Todd about the issue, but confirmed that the Etwall exchange is not part of its current modernisation programme.

He said: "Engineers have carried out research into the cable network in this area to see if there are any improvements that could be made to provide faster speeds. They have reported that they are of the best quality available and there are currently no upgrades planned which would improve the service.

"We are working to find solutions for the relatively small number of customers, who are currently unable to access broadband for technical reasons."

People living in Hilton are being urged to fill in an online survey which the campaign group plans to pass on to BT. Residents can test their internet connection by visiting www.speedtest. net before casting their votes at www.hiltonvillage.co.uk/forums.