Wessex Internet has completed its Project Gigabit rollout in rural North Dorset, delivering full fibre broadband to 6,490 homes and businesses previously considered among the hardest to reach. The work forms part of the government’s national programme to extend gigabit-capable connections to communities excluded from commercial broadband plans.
The rural broadband provider was awarded the £6 million North Dorset contract in August 2022 and has finished the three-year project on time and within budget. It was the first company in the country to secure a Project Gigabit contract through competitive tender and is now among the first to complete one, as well as the largest to date.
The build has focused on some of Dorset’s smallest and most isolated communities. Work began in Bishops Caundle before extending across Cramborne, Hazelbury Bryan and East Stour. Wessex Internet used specialist rural construction methods to lay 1,770km of cable across farmland, limiting the need for roadworks and reducing disruption. The company also held more than 200 meetings, drop-ins and events across the 150 communities included in the contract area to support residents and businesses switching to full fibre.
Alongside the main rollout, the company has continued its Community Hub initiative, connecting over 40 village halls, churches and similar community spaces for £1 per month.
Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd said: ‘Today’s milestone in North Dorset shows we’re delivering the critical infrastructure our country needs. We’re building a stronger Britain where everyone, no matter where they live, can benefit from world class connectivity. Whether you’re running a farm, working from home or helping the kids with homework, lightning-fast broadband removes barriers and creates opportunities.’
Wessex Internet CEO Hector Gibson Fleming said: ‘We are immensely proud to have delivered in rural Dorset — on time and to budget. This is a strong example of how government subsidy can transform communities, bringing world-class connectivity to thousands of homes and businesses that have long been overlooked. For us, the true measure of success is seeing the impact on our customers’ daily lives, and we are excited to continue this journey as we expand our network across the region.’
The company is now progressing further government-funded contracts across South and West Dorset and South Somerset, totalling £72 million, alongside additional investment from the National Wealth Fund.
