Update to Project Gigabit network build contract - North Dorset September 2025

Wessex Internet completed the build for North Dorset in September 2025. Over 6,400 homes and businesses across North Dorset can now access lightning-fast broadband.

Update to Project Gigabit network build contract - North Dorset August 2022

Building Digital UK (BDUK) has carried out significant market engagement in the region to identify potential areas for government intervention to roll-out gigabit-capable broadband.

Following a transparent, fair and robust procurement process, BDUK awarded supplier Wessex Internet a £6 million contract to provide over 7,000 premises in North Dorset with access to gigabit-capable broadband. The contract was signed on 25 August 2022.

BDUK, Wessex Internet and Dorset Council will work collaboratively on ensuring the network build commences as quickly as possible, once the supplier has completed their detailed plans for this network build. An amount of preparatory work is required to reach premises (for example, digging trenches, laying duct, blowing fibre) prior to being able to access a service. This varies depending on geography and supplier. The first premises under this contract are anticipated to have access to gigabit-capable broadband available to them before the end of this year. Once the gigabit-capable network has been built, residents and businesses will be able to request a connection from a broadband service provider to benefit from the faster speeds.

Below is a map of the areas due to be upgraded in the awarded North Dorset contract.

Please note the premises to be reached by the contract is subject to change following detailed planning by the supplier or due to technical reasons during the lifetime of the contract.

Further detail on the premises due to be upgraded as part of thisthese networkcontracts buildis contractpublished willas bepart availableof onBDUK’s thistransparency pagedata showing premises in dueBDUK course.plans. Note, this is currently for England and Wales only.

If your premises is not currently within the planned contract build, this may be for one of the following reasons:

• Gigabit-capable infrastructure currently exists in your area.
• Broadband network suppliers have indicated to us as part of our Open Market Review and Public Review process that they have plans to reach you as part of their commercial build plans. This may include work planned as part of existing voucher projects through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
• Your premises is outside of the scope of this project owing to cost or difficulty in reaching it with gigabit-capable infrastructure. The government is exploringconsidering optionsadditional solutions for providing‘Very improvedHard connectivity to premisesReach’ in this category following a call for evidence that has taken place.premises.

This contract is part of a wider strategy for Project Gigabit in Dorset, with a further procurement to build gigabit-capable infrastructure to up to an estimated 56,500 premises scheduled to commence between July to September 2023.

Under Project Gigabit the government is also providing up to £210 million worth of voucher funding as immediate help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas. You can find out if you are eligible for a rural voucher on the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme website.

Further information about Project Gigabit can be found on the ProjectBDUK Gigabit website and under Project Gigabit: UK Subsidy advice.