TELECOMS operator BT announced yesterday that rising demand for broadband had helped it to its fastest revenue growth in nearly three years.

BT said it was connecting a new broadband customer every 15 seconds as turnover from so-called new-wave services passed the £1bn mark in the second quarter.

High-speed technology accounted for 22 per cent of group revenues as BT stepped up its transition from a fixed-line operator.

A record 607,000 customers were connected to broadband in the three months to September 30, boosting its total user base to 3.3 million.

BT said pre-tax profits for the quarter were four per cent higher than a year ago at £549m, with underlying turnover up two per cent at £4.6bn.

Chief executive Ben Verwaayen said: "We are winning business across the globe and responding innovatively to an intense, competitive environment, particularly in the UK."

BT blamed a six per cent fall in its traditional fixed-line business on competition, price cuts and measures to encourage people to sign up for broadband.