Wessex Internet start work to provide full fibre internet

Mole ploughs broke the ground in Stapleford last week, as Wessex Internet began its physical work to deliver full fibre internet to 14,500 homes and businesses in South Wiltshire.

As part of Project Gigabit, a government-funded program to enable hard-to-reach communities to get fast, reliable broadband, 14,5000 homes and businesses will have full fibre internet.

The contract is worth £18.8 million and will see Wessex Internet expanding its existing network in the Wylye Valley, going across the Salisbury Plain, connecting villages surrounding Amesbury, and going as far north as Chisbury and Little Bedwyn.

The first communities to be connected will be Stapleford, Wylye and Bapton. Last week, Wessex Internet began the work in Stapleford.

READ MORE: Call for police action on speeding on A30 through Donheads

The contract was awarded by the government in March 2024 to be delivered over the next five years.

Minister of state for telecoms Chris Bryant said: “Connectivity is a vital part of modern life, for individuals, families, communities, businesses and government. I’m delighted that months of hard work are now paying dividends in South Wiltshire where villages that were once cut off will soon be able to access state of the art broadband.

Work has started in Stapleford (Image: Wessex Internet)

"This will be a game-changer for residents, not only because it will provide them with faster internet, but because it will help create equal opportunities, boost rural businesses, and ensure our villages aren't left behind in the digital age.”

All the homes and businesses being connected across South Wiltshire and North Dorset will benefit from full fibre broadband, also known as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). This means a fibre optic cable goes all the way to each building, rather than stopping at a cabinet down the road.

This delivers connection speeds of up to 10Gbps, with far superior speeds and reliability compared to old copper telephone lines.

READ MORE: Thousands set to lose Winter Fuel Payment in Wiltshire

CEO of Wessex Internet Hector Gibson Fleming said: “This is great news for homes and businesses in the North Dorset and South Wiltshire, who will be able to access world-class connectivity and the many economic and social benefits it provides.

14,500 houses and businesses will beenfit (Image: Wessex Internet)

"We will continue working closely with the residents and businesses across these two contract areas, involving them in our planning process and informing them as soon as our future-proofed broadband is available in their communities.”

Wessex Internet’s rollout will continue over the next five years in South Wiltshire and complete within the next two years in Norh Dorset. It will target hard-to-reach rural areas that, without government investment, would have missed out on faster speeds.