Broadband consumers and businesses in the east of England have been urged to register their demand for faster services.

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has called on residents in the region to add themselves to a database of people lacking sufficient broadband services.

Through the Eastern Region Broadband Uplift Scheme (Erebus) project, the agency is aiming to encourage commercial broadband providers to invest in the local internet.

EEDA aims to pinpoint faster broadband demand down to postcode level, demonstrating to ISPs that there is a business case for providing such services in rural areas.

Jan Pinkerton, Head of Business ICT and Intelligence at EEDA, said: "We want to encourage as many people, businesses and public and third sector organisations as possible to register their interest in next-generation broadband services through Erebus. This is part of our wider strategy to stimulate investment in next generation broadband."

She commented that super-fast broadband is proven to have "a positive impact" on the economy, increasing access to services and boosting business opportunities.

Last week, EEDA described the east of England as being "an economic force to be reckoned with", but one held back by a lack of investment in high-level skills and infrastructure.