Wessex Internet Complete Full Fibre Rollout Contract in Devon and Somerset UK

Rural broadband ISP Wessex Internet has today announced that they’ve completed their publicly funded deployment of full fibre broadband under the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme, which has seen 4,190 hard-to-reach rural homes and businesses across South Somerset in England gain access to their gigabit speed network.

Just to recap. The Phase 2 CDS contract, which was first awarded at the end of 2020 (here) and initially supported by £4.7m of public investment (partly from the Building Digital UK agency), originally committed Wessex Internet to expand their full fibre network to cover over 3,618 premises in remote rural parts of South Somerset. This was extended in 2022 (here), with an extra £1.7m of public funding, to reach a further 1,110 premises.

The network build phase eventually commenced in May 2021 and was technically completed in January 2026, although there’s usually a period of verification that then has to take place before the work is formally finished (hence why it’s only being announced now). The expansion of rival commercial networks has also eaten into their original coverage target, albeit only a bit.

Some of the locations that have benefitted from this FTTP build include 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, Yeovil Marsh, Chilthorne Domer, East Coker and Wyke Champflower etc.

Councillor Mike Rigby, CDS Board Member, said:

“Our thanks and congratulations go to Wessex Internet for their work in fulfilling this contract with CDS. Delivering full fibre broadband in hard-to-reach areas is challenging in itself, but Wessex has had to contend with some awful weather extremes during the time they’ve been working on this contract in South Somerset. However, the importance of this work can’t be overstated, and it’s certainly been worth the effort that has been needed. The difference these full fibre connections make is highlighted by the experience of the owners of North Perrott Fruit Farm, and I’m sure that’s echoed by the thousands who have benefited from this new full fibre broadband network.”

Juliet Mance, Chief Operations Officer of Wessex Internet, said:

“Connecting more than 4,000 rural homes and businesses in South Somerset with reliable, gigabit‑capable broadband is a milestone that truly reflects the dedication of multiple teams across both organisations. Their hard work, resilience and commitment have delivered a project that is already transforming daily life for the communities we serve.

Communities like Compton Dundon, Babcary and North Perrott have been waiting years for broadband that genuinely supports the way they live and work. Since the network has been live in South Somerset, the response from residents and local businesses shows just how quickly better connectivity can change daily life. Projects like this are exactly why CDS and Wessex Internet exist: to deliver future‑proof digital infrastructure that strengthens rural communities – because that’s the real measure of success.”

In total, 1.28 million metres of new fibre was installed by Wessex Internet to bring reliable, ultrafast broadband to 85 rural communities and isolated properties under the contract. The build also wasn’t without its challenges, with the county’s rural nature requiring an average of 306 metres of fibre per property to be installed using Mole Ploughs – leveraging the provider’s unique approach to rural delivery.

In addition, Wessex Internet was building the network and connecting properties during unexpected and harsh weather conditions – including facing one of the wettest winters on record for Somerset (2023-24). The operator, which has already covered 66,000 rural premises with their broadband network(s), is currently working to expand their rural full fibre infrastructure to cover 137,000 premises (here).