Over 3,000 properties in South Somerset connected
by The Wessex Internet Team
More than 3,000 premises in South Somerset can now order full fibre broadband thanks to Wessex Internet’s rollout on behalf of Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS).
Wessex Internet started its build for CDS in May 2021 and its contract was extended in June 2022 to cover more than 4,400 properties once work is complete.
Among the communities where access to gigabit capable broadband has been delivered are Alford, Ashington, Babcary, Cary Fitzpaine, Charlton Mackrell, Closworth, Corton Denham, Hadspen, Hardington Mandeville, Limington, Lovington, Marston Magna, Milborne Wick, Mudford Sock, North and South Barrow, Sutton Montis, Woolston, and Yeovil Marsh.
In Marston Magna, Lawrence and Pam Hopkins are among those to benefit from fibre broadband delivered by Wessex Internet through its CDS contract.
As a former Parish Council Chairman, Lawrence is all too aware of the demand for high-speed broadband so he welcomed the investment in the community which also enabled the village hall to benefit.
He said:
“When I was Parish Council Chairman lots of people were complaining to me asking ‘why can’t we get better broadband’, so when Wessex Internet came along it was a breath of fresh air.
"It’s enabled us to stream if we want to, send big files and our internet phone has become clearer now and there’s no interference. We needed an efficient service which is what we’ve now got.
"It’s really good news the village hall has been connected as well because they’re now planning to have film nights, and their fibre broadband is a great asset for them when they’re selling a booking.”
Work is now focused on parts of Chilthorne Domer, East Coker and Wyke Champflower.
Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO at Wessex Internet, said:
“After winter weather challenges, including severe flooding in the lowlands of Somerset, we’re pleased with our rapid recent progress, having completed nearly three-quarters of our ‘Connecting Devon and Somerset’ network build, with planning for all other communities also finished.
“Marston Magna is one of the many villages now enjoying ultrafast, reliable broadband, which people often think isn’t possible in their rural communities. We have also provided the village hall with our subsidised £1 per month internet package, so that it remains a future-proofed focal point for local people and all the groups using it.
“Building in rural areas is vastly more costly and time consuming than in higher population towns, which is why many villages are overlooked by bigger providers. At Wessex Internet, we always feel a sense of achievement when connecting countryside communities, knowing that we’ve brought local people an internet service they can count on.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, CDS Board member and Somerset Council Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said:
“For our rural communities in Somerset, getting connected to fast broadband is vital. CDS is trying to take on the more isolated areas. Wessex Internet and CDS are well on their way to getting rural areas in South Somerset connected and we look forward to the contract being completed.”
CDS has delivered superfast access to more homes and businesses than any other broadband programme in England, with over 326,000 premises receiving access to superfast broadband as a direct result of investment by CDS.
The CDS programme is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Heart of the South West LEP, CDS local authorities, European Regional Development Fund and the Rural Development Programme for England.
Residents and businesses can use the postcode checker to find out if their property is covered as part of the CDS programme.
Residents talk about their new broadband service
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