16 communities connected between April and June

Wessex Internet has confirmed where its services have gone live in the second quarter of the calendar year, with 16 villages and other rural communities in Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire connected between April and June 2024.

Ultrafast broadband is now reaching homes and businesses in these rural communities:

In Dorset:

• Child Okeford
• Gussage St Michael
• Hazelbury Bryan
• Holwell
• Mappowder & Pleck Hill
• Marnhull
• Stourton Caundle
• Tadnoll

In Somerset:

• Dimmer & Blackworthy
• Lovington
• Lytes Cary
• Podimore
• Somerton
• Yeovilton
• Welham

In Hampshire:

• Damerham

During this period, the Dorset-based rural ISP has grown to more than 300 employees for the first time and has also been named the Best Rural Enterprise in the UK at the annual Countryside Alliance Awards.

Gavin Davies, Chief Operations Officer at Wessex Internet, said:

“Our network build has continued apace, as we bring reliable, ultrafast broadband to even more rural communities. We’ve reached an important milestone in now employing 300 staff to help reach homes and businesses in the countryside as efficiently as possible, but we’re not stopping here!

“We will be continuing to grow our teams over the next few months, including at our new base in Codford, as we fulfil our plans to deliver full fibre internet to rural areas across Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.”

Community feedback this quarter remains incredibly positive, with residents across the region contacting Wessex Internet to thank them for their considerate approach when working in communities, the quality of service given over the phone, and their friendly installation teams.

A resident of the New Forest emailed to say:

“I don't normally do things like this, but I really just wanted to get in touch to say how amazing your workers have been when passing horses and riders around Bransgore. Every single Wessex Internet vehicle we've seen has passed us so slowly when we’re riding - and with space and a friendly ‘hello’. I hope this gets passed on to your teams, as they are amazing.”

A new customer in Somerset said:

“Where the major suppliers were unable to help, Wessex have given me great internet, supported by a great, locally-based team. It’s a service you cannot find with the national companies.”

A resident in Hampshire said:

“An actual person on the end of the phone helping deliver great customer service makes a pleasant change these days. Also, Wessex Internet came to my village to do a presentation about what they can offer and to explain how they will carry out their installations, which really helped understanding.”

A new customer in Dorset said:

“Contact and information has been brilliant, right from the initial mention of connecting the village. A slight issue with our internal Wifi signal was sorted quickly, thanks to the installation engineer. Customer service is exceptional with this company.”

Another new customer fed-back:

“Your installer took me through step-by-step, understood that I was hard of hearing and repeated things clearly, even though I am not technologically-inclined. The whole process made this new technology work for me: amazing and a huge relief!”