Rural Wireless and FTTH ISP Wessex Internet Add Unlimited Usage

Alternative network UK ISP Wessex Internet, which has deployed a mix of “full fibre” (FTTH) and fixed wireless broadband services to parts of rural Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and Hampshire in England, has been “investing heavily” in network upgrades and can now offer “unlimited” usage.

Previously the provider was somewhat hobbled by the fact that both their ultrafast Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and fixed wireless access based packages were stuck on capped usage allowances. In some areas a few subscribers had also suffered slower speeds than advertised but these issues are now being resolved.

At the time of writing Wessex Internet are in the process of completing a major upgrade to their core network to run on 10Gbps hardware. On top of that the ISP also now has two diverse routed fibre connections to their racks in two separate London data centres. As a result of all this they can in theory now offer home broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps (currently the best is 350Mbps) but this has yet to go live.

The extra capacity has also enabled the ISP to introduce a new range of “unlimited” (Fair Usage Policy) usage allowance packages for the first time. Prices start at £49 per month (plus £199 install) for an unlimited 50Mbps (10Mbps upload) package on their wireless network, which rises to £59 per month if you want an unlimited 100Mbps (20Mbps upload) full fibre service.

Furthermore the provider has also boosted the usage allowances by 20-50% on their cheaper capped home packages.

Hector Gibson Fleming, Wessex Internet MD, said:

“We’re obviously thrilled to be able to offer amazing new deals for our customers – especially the unlimited package, it’s been something we’ve had in the wings for a while and it’s great to be able to boast the network infrastructure to deliver our award winning services on an unlimited basis!

Now we’ve brought the entire management team together in one office, our focus is on expanding and continually updating our fibre and wireless network as well as the services we can offer over it. We already offer amazing connectivity, so these improvements are a natural step for us. We’ve got more exciting developments coming in the next few months so keep an eye on our upcoming announcements!”

Meanwhile Wessex Internet’s network coverage is also continuing to grow and they’ve recently added areas like Deanland, Thornicombe, Whatcombe and Hedge End to their FTTH service. The ISP now plans to expand into Penselwood, Langham, Sandley, Buckhorn Weston and Cripplestile, all to be served with either wireless or pure fibre coverage. On top of that they’re also giving a big focus to improving connectivity in Blandford itself.

So far Wessex Internet has improved the connectivity for a total of 149 villages across their patch.