Wessex Internet, the independent broadband provider founded on a family farm in North Dorset, has announced a major funding boost that will significantly expand its reach across the rural South West. On 23rd June, the company confirmed a £50 million investment from the National Wealth Fund, supporting its mission to connect some of the hardest-to-reach homes and small businesses in the country.
The investment – combined with £72 million in public subsidy through the government’s Project Gigabit scheme and further capital from shareholders – will enable Wessex Internet to grow its full-fibre network from 40,000 to around 137,000 premises. Many of these are small businesses, community projects and isolated farms in areas long neglected by larger national providers.
While the numbers are impressive, the company’s approach remains grounded in its local roots. From its base near Blandford, Wessex Internet has grown carefully and independently – resisting buyouts and mergers – choosing instead to build a business focused entirely on rural communities. Its success lies in working with the land, not around it: laying cables through fields in partnership with farmers and landowners, avoiding unnecessary road disruption, and tailoring each connection to the realities of rural life.
‘As many broadband providers scale back, we have continued to grow by focusing on rural, hard-to-reach areas that others overlook,’ said Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet. ‘Our focus has always been on ensuring that these regions can access reliable full fibre broadband, which supports local economic development and long-term community needs. Our success is rooted in that purpose.’
The impact is already being felt. Voiceover artist Natalie Cooper moved to her dream home near Shaftesbury in Dorset, complete with her own studio – but with barely any mobile signal and broadband under 1Mb.
‘Now, thanks to Wessex Internet, we have full fibre direct to the property,’ she said. ‘I can confidently deliver a consistent, high-quality service to my voiceover clients around the world.’
The Big Yellow Bus Garden Project, a volunteer-run community garden in Shillingstone, Dorset, could not afford broadband access until Wessex Internet stepped in to sponsor the project. Now it has the connectivity to support school visits, share resources and stay in touch with supporters.
Wessex Internet’s expansion comes at a critical moment. With rural businesses under pressure, digital connectivity is no longer a luxury – it’s the backbone of modern rural life, supporting everything from small-scale manufacturing and online services to family farms and voluntary organisations.
Ian Brown, Head of Banking & Investments at the National Wealth Fund, said: ‘Every home and business in the UK deserves access to fast, affordable and reliable broadband. Our financing for Wessex Internet will ensure that under-served rural communities benefit – areas where connecting homes and businesses to fast fibre makes the greatest difference, improving connectivity and supporting local economies.’
Wessex Internet has won continued backing from its major investors, including Aberdeen, the global investment company and a key equity partner. Their original investment highlights the growing role of independent providers in delivering rural broadband infrastructure. Wessex Internet is proving that rural deployment can be both technically feasible and commercially attractive.
‘Everyone in the business is proud of the huge impact that Wessex Internet has had on the communities we serve – connecting families, strengthening businesses and empowering local organisations,’ said Gibson Fleming.
Yet we were promised connection last November, then the spring, then summer. All failed promises all due to a couple of poles! All that money given to this business and they can’t sort out a couple of poles, not under fields but down the side of a main road! A real let down.