Connecting Milton Abbas to full fibre broadband

Introduction

Milton Abbas is a picturesque village and civil parish in Dorset, England, located a few miles southwest of Blandford Forum. With a population of around 730, this community was built in the 1770s after the old town was demolished – back then it was said to be the ‘largest project of its kind in England.’ The village is home to notable sites such as Milton Abbey School and the Reading Rooms, contributing to its historical charm.

Challenges faced

Wessex Internet has long recognised the need to bring full fibre broadband to rural communities often overlooked by other providers due to the significant challenges and costs involved. Milton Abbas epitomises the type of rural area in which Wessex Internet excels. The village's unique historical significance and the community's expectation of minimal disruption presented some challenges.

The existing infrastructure in Milton Abbas was outdated, making the cost of an upgrade particularly excessive. Therefore, Wessex Internet engaged with villagers to creatively utilise the frontage of gardens, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective installation. The key concern was maintaining the village's visual attraction, known for its lack of visible wires and modern lighting.

Innovative solutions

To address these challenges, Wessex Internet developed a bespoke approach tailored to the unique setting of Milton Abbas. A critical tool in this project was an electric drill, purchased specifically for the Milton Abbas build. This drill, one of only three in the world, enabled the team to move between gardens with minimal disruption, proving to be a low-impact alternative to the larger mole ploughs and drills typically used.

The project combined hand-digging and tunnelling beneath driveways to connect the entire street. Our expert civils bravely navigated the steep hillside into the village in the valley in our 12.5 tonne plough; they completed a huge 98 metre directional drilling down a steep ancient footpath, pushing our equipment to the limits of its capabilities.

Christine O’Grady, our Community Engagement Manager for Milton Abbas, played a pivotal role in maintaining communication with the villagers, providing updates, and addressing concerns through community meetings, pub drop-ins and door-to-door visits.

The power of ultrafast broadband

The successful installation of full fibre broadband in Milton Abbas has, as sub-postmaster Mike Gibbons quoted, ‘propelled Milton Abbas into the 21st century!’ The residents are delighted with the ultrafast broadband, and that there are no visible traces of the extensive work undertaken. The ultrafast broadband allows villagers, like Jim and Kay in the video below, to work from home efficiently, enjoy online shopping, stream television content, and utilise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

The unique and historic character of Milton Abbas remains untouched, retaining its charm while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates Wessex Internet's commitment to overcoming challenges and providing solutions to rural communities while respecting and preserving the landscape of the areas we build to. Thanks to strategic planning, community engagement, and the use of specialised equipment, Wessex Internet has successfully brought ultrafast broadband to this historic village, demonstrating that modern advancements can still be integrated into even the most sensitive of environments.