Almost 200 people have signed up for broadband at Welshpool

The groups at Welshpool and Machynlleth say the lack of the quicker broadband - which offers faster, permanent access to the net - is a business disadvantage.

They also claim hi-tech companies are discouraged from moving there.

Five hundred names have to be secured before BT will agree to bring in the technology needed for broadband, but already campaigners in Welshpool have obtained 193 names.

"Even though the campaign has only been going for a few weeks the take-up rate has increased from five a week to 20 a week," said Jeremy Rollinson, from the Welshpool campaign.

The group's aim is to get the 500 names by March 2004 which would mean the introduction of broadband by next summer, according to Mr Rollinson.

Getting broadband is as important for the future of rural areas as trains were 150 years ago and roads were 50 years ago John Behnan, Machynlleth broadband

"If we don't take advantage of the digital economy Welshpool is in danger of becoming stagnated and inward investment will dwindle," he added.

Nearby Aberystwyth and Newtown have had broadband access for some time.

Last week it was confirmed that Llanidloes would get broadband by next February under the town's regeneration strategy after the closure of the KTH car parts plant.

Ecodyfi, a group set up to boost economic regeneration in Machynlleth and the surrounding Dyfi Valley, is also concerned about lagging behind urban areas.

"High speed connectivity is vital if we are to benefit from the increasing amount of high-quality educational material and multimedia training packages available over the internet," said Andy Rowland of Ecodyfi.

Ecodyfi has started researching the number of potential customers for broadband in Machynlleth.

John Behnan, a member of the working party group, added that access to areas outside Machynlleth could then be reached through wireless broadband technology.

"Getting broadband is as important for the future of rural areas as trains were 150 years ago and roads were 50 years ago," he added.

At present only 74 people in Machynlleth have registered an interest in getting broadband, according to a BT spokesman.