Dorset centres among the first to benefit from next-gen fibre broadband
Council awarded nearly £900k to oversee the project
Funding from the Government's £5 billion 'Project Gigabit' will allow schools, libraries and a visitor attraction in Dorset to be among the first in the country to benefit from next generation full-fibre broadband.
Dorset Council has been awarded nearly £900,000 to oversee the project and Blandford-based Wessex Internet has secured the contract to deliver the fibre.
Altogether 35 sites across Dorset are set to benefit and they are all in areas where there are no commercial plans to roll-out full fibre broadband.
Without this investment, these important public services could have to wait years before they enjoy the fastest possible internet speeds.
By bringing the fibre to these areas, it will mean the infrastructure is in place to make it easier for surrounding residents and businesses to one day also benefit from this latest technology.
Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Corporate, Transformation and Digital, Cllr Jill Haynes, said:
“This is fantastic news for many areas of Dorset that would otherwise have been left behind as we all start to move to gigabit-capable broadband speeds. It will bring immediate benefit to the sites included in the plans and it will also make it easier for residents and businesses in those areas to look to upgrade their broadband one day.
“Our reliance on very good broadband speeds is only going to become more important as technology evolves and investment like this will provide certainty for these communities’ futures.”
Among the 35 sites included in this ‘Gigahub Connectivity in Rural Dorset Project’ are 22 primary and secondary schools - from the Purbecks in the south to Gillingham in the north. Durlston Country Park is also set to be connected and the funding will also help two libraries, a care home and a children’s centre.
The first sites are due to be connected in June 2022 and all sites will be completed by September next year.
Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said:
“We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract by Dorset Council to provide a full fibre connection to important community sites across the county. Not only will 35 schools and other community facilities benefit from ultrafast and reliable connectivity, surrounding homes and businesses will also be able to get connected.”
Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said:
"Thousands of hard-to-reach homes and businesses in rural Dorset will get better broadband through our £5 billion investment in Project Gigabit - the biggest broadband rollout in UK history.
"This initial £1 million in funding means Dorset Council can level up public services with lightning-fast internet speeds and encourages more broadband firms to build networks in the county's rural areas."