15 Years of Connection: The Wessex Internet Story
by Wessex Internet Team
Fifteen years ago, Wessex Internet began with a simple belief: the countryside deserves world-class connectivity.
What started as a local Dorset project has grown into a full fibre network spanning Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire – and by mid-November 2025, we’ll proudly connect our 15,000th customer. This milestone is about more than numbers. It’s about community, perseverance, and a shared passion for connecting the countryside.
Community Is at the Heart of Connection
For us, connection has always meant more than cables and speeds. It’s about people – the families, farmers, and small businesses who rely on us every day.
When storms strike, our local engineers are out there keeping communities online. When customers call, our Dorset-based support team answers. And when we reach new areas, it’s often thanks to local champions spreading the word and helping their neighbours register interest.
From Farm Fields to Full Fibre
When we first began, rural broadband meant compromise. Connections were slow, unreliable, and often overlooked. But our founders knew that the countryside needed – and deserved – better.
Led by James Gibson Fleming (MBE), our journey started with innovation, teamwork, and local partnerships. We began ploughing fibre through farmland and along country lanes – building a network that worked with the land, not against it.
Today, our ultrafast full fibre broadband reaches thousands of homes and businesses that were once among the hardest to connect.
Moments That Made Us
Over the past 15 years, there have been many turning points that shaped who we are:
- The First Project Gigabit Contract
In 2022, we became the first broadband provider in the UK to be awarded a Project Gigabit contract. The Prime Minister even joined us in Dorset to celebrate – marking the start of a national effort to connect rural Britain.
- Innovation in the Fields
From participating in the 5G RuralDorset project and testing the world’s first 5G-ready agri-robot, to deploying XGS-PON technology with Nokia, we’ve never stopped finding new ways to connect people better and faster.
- Recognition That Matters
Winning UK Fibre Provider of the Year, Best Rural Provider, and even Rural Enterprise of the Year at the House of Lords proved that what began as a rural passion project has become an award-winning broadband provider leading the way nationally.
Milton Abbas: Heritage Meets High-Speed
Our bespoke fibre build in Milton Abbas, one of Dorset’s most picturesque villages and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), was one of our proudest achievements.
Working closely with residents, heritage experts, and local planners, we delivered ultrafast broadband in a way that preserved the village’s historic landscape and natural beauty while bringing modern connectivity to its homes and businesses.
It’s a story that earned us national recognition and the INCA Award for Best Community Project – and it’s beautifully told in our full Milton Abbas case study →.
Looking Ahead: The Next 15 Years
With almost 15,000 customers connected and growing, the next 15 years promise even more innovation, expansion, and community connection. Backed by national investment and local passion, we’ll continue to roll out ultrafast full fibre broadband to the most remote corners of the countryside – because we believe rural life should never mean second-best connectivity.
Thank You for 15 Years of Connection
From our very first customer to those joining today, every connection tells part of the Wessex Internet story. Here’s to 15 years of shared progress, community spirit, and rural pride – and to the next chapter of connecting the countryside, one home, one farm, and one community at a time.
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05/11/2025