BT will promote Kings Hill, the mixed-use development off the M20 near Maidstone, as the first eLocation in the South East.

The telecommunications company launched the e-Locations division in March as a response to the rise of new wave, inward investors into the UK and to maintain the nation's position as the dominant recipient of inward investment within Europe.

Speaking at the launch, Sir Peter Bonfield, BT's chief executive, said: "BT eLocations will further strengthen BT's commitment to help establish the UK as the premier electronic trading hub for Europe. BT is prepared to attract tomorrow's new wave organisations into the UK, offering the implementation timescales demanded, and pre-equipped locations with the latest technology expected of a 21st century economy."

Kings Hill is a rapidly growing new community, combining commercial, residential, educational, retail, sports and leisure uses within 650 acres of highly landscaped low density parkland. In addition to providing accommodation for SMEs, Kings Hill has attracted significant international tenants such as Canon (UK) Ltd, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Kimberly-Clark and The Prudential.

Rouse Kent Ltd and Kent County Council formed a collaborative public/private sector partnership to create an exemplar sustainable mixed-use community. Kings Hill is evolving as Kent’s flagship development for attracting inward investment and promoting regional economic growth.

The communications technology now available at Kings Hill will help drive business growth among entrepreneurs and key firms including those in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

Says James Maneri, managing director of Rouse Kent: "We see our strategic alliance with BT eLocations as an integral part of delivering total property solutions to our occupiers.

"This is already reflected in our growing tenant base at Kings Hill with such companies as the Woolwich, Marsh UK, the Prudential, BT Syncordia Solutions, Aventis Pharma and Thomson Multimedia – all demanding and using the new technologies as fundamental tools for the success of their businesses."

BT eLocations are served by a robust dual optical fibre network providing full security backup for all communications requirements. The sites have access to a high level of bandwidth utilising the latest transmission technology required by communications intensive businesses.

The sites have ready-equipped high level, resilient telecommunications facilities; appropriately skilled labour force; flexibility to meet the requirements of large users and access to reliable transportation links.

Kings Hill is suitable for communications and technology based operations including company headquarters, call centres and shared service centres, Internet server farms and research and development. BT’s investment has ensured future-proofing for business growth and with the sites offering cutting edge technology, such as SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy), ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) and ADSL.

Richard Byatt