Wessex Internet clinches an £18 million government-backed Project Gigabit deal to bring lightning-fast connectivity to approximately 14,500 residences and enterprises in South Wiltshire.
Rural South Wiltshire is set to undergo a digital revolution with the signing of a significant contract aimed at upgrading the county’s network as part of Project Gigabit—a £5 billion government initiative targeting digital connectivity enhancements in hard-to-reach regions.
Around 14,500 homes and businesses throughout South Wiltshire will gain access to gigabit-capable broadband through Wessex Internet, marking the company’s third Project Gigabit contract.
Backed by an £18.8 million government investment, Wessex Internet will extend its existing network in the Wylye Valley, spanning across Salisbury Plain and linking villages surrounding Amesbury to the east, reaching as far north as Chisbury and Little Bedwyn.
All properties are set to benefit from full fibre connections, also referred to as Fibre to the Premise (FTTP), where the fibre optic cable extends directly to the premises, ensuring connection speeds of up to 10Gbps. This represents a substantial leap in speed and reliability compared to conventional copper networks.
Wessex Internet will kickstart network planning for this five-year contract immediately, with construction slated to commence in September 2024 and the first properties anticipated to be connected by year’s end.
Julia Lopez, Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, commented, “Our record-breaking rollout of gigabit broadband is a game changer, bringing lightning-fast connectivity to the most remote locations previously stuck in the digital slow lane. Thanks to our Project Gigabit, thousands of hard-to-reach homes and businesses in Wiltshire will soon have the opportunity to tap into the fastest broadband speeds available, providing endless opportunities to improve lives and grow the economy.”
Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, added, “From entertainment to education, fast, reliable broadband is essential to modern living, and those living and working in rural communities should not be left behind. We’re delighted to have been awarded another government contract to extend our network in Wiltshire and bring blistering-fast broadband to thousands more homes and businesses.”
Wessex Internet is already delivering gigabit-capable broadband in North Dorset and the New Forest to around 17,500 rural homes and businesses, funded through Project Gigabit.
Headquartered just a stone’s throw from the Wiltshire border in North Dorset, Wessex Internet has already deployed its full fibre infrastructure to over 3,000 properties in Wiltshire, spanning communities including East Knoyle, West Knoyle, Donhead St Andrew, Fisherton De La Mere, and Corton.
Cllr Ashley O’Neill, Cabinet Member for Broadband at Wiltshire Council, expressed, “We are delighted that a contract has been awarded to deliver next generation broadband to thousands of homes and businesses in South Wiltshire. One of our key priorities is to have well-connected communities. As lightning-fast gigabit broadband connections have a profound benefit for local people and businesses, we look forward to working with Wessex Internet to achieve a successful rollout of this scheme and seeing the real difference it can make to people’s lives.”
