Chris Loder MP met with Wessex Internet on the 11th January in a demonstration of his determination to progress the rollout of broadband connectivity in West Dorset. Mr Loder accompanied Wessex Internet’s CEO, Hector Gibson Fleming; Head of Marketing, Sally Sommers; and engineering team at an active cabling site just outside of Sherborne.
Mr Loder said: “Wessex Internet are undertaking important broadband infrastructure work across parts of West Dorset, connecting rural properties and communities. I’m very pleased to have seen first-hand the work that the team conduct daily, using pioneering machinery to ensure broadband connectivity.”
He added: “This time last month, I led a debate in Parliament to bring attention to the issues many rural residents experience living in broadband ‘notspots’ – some with the worst 10% connectivity in the UK. Progress is being made to connect these properties with Gigabit broadband, which over 45% are eligible for in West Dorset. In addition, the Government has tendered a contract worth around £14 million for properties in the constituency - it’s expected that the successful bidder of this contract will be announced in the next few months.”