More than 2,500 people have supported a call for superfast broadband across Devon and Somerset, less than a week after a campaign bid was launched.

The Connecting Devon and Somerset Superfast Broadband campaign was launched on Monday by Devon and Somerset County Councils in partnership with North Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay councils.

The initiative will map demand levels for superfast connectivity in Devon and Somerset, ahead of a tender process for a £100 million upgrade, with the aim of wooing in private investors.

Last year, the two counties successfully bid for £31 million from the Government's Broadband Delivery UK agency, a £530 million pot set aside for the so-called "final third" of the country which is unlikely to be upgraded as part of the normal commercial process.

Devon and Somerset County Councils are each investing up to £10 million with the remaining £50 million to be put up by a private sector delivery partner which is due to be chosen by a tender process which will start in April.

Local business and residents are being asked to respond online, or call a dedicated hotline to register their plea for superfast broadband services.

There have been concerns of a growing digital divide in the two counties, with urban areas upgraded as part of normal commercial processes but rural areas often having very slow speeds. In Cornwall, a £132 million Superfast Cornwall scheme – backed by European Convergence funding – is already well under way.

Devon County Council's cabinet member for economy, Will Mumford, said: " We are very thrilled by the response so far and I'd like to thank all those that have responded.

"This is tremendous news and shows that there is substantial demand for superfast broadband. It's vital we have the whole picture though, so we need to ask as many people as possible to take part.

"As part of the research, the speed of your current broadband will be measured, so you know what you're actually getting at the moment. We also want to know about what you use the net for at present and what you could do if it was faster and more reliable."

The Connecting Devon and Somerset scheme will bring speeds of at least 2mbps to every home and business in the two counties by 2015 and will deliver superfast broadband of more than 20mbps to at least 85 per cent of users by 2015 and 100 per cent by 2020.