Project Gigabit network build contract – South Wiltshire

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 £18.8 million contract to provide around 14,500 hard-to-reach premises in South Wiltshire with access to gigabit-capable broadband. The contract was signed in March 2024.  

BDUK and Wiltshire Council will work collaboratively with the supplier on ensuring that network build commences as quickly as possible once the supplier has completed their detailed plans for this build. An amount of preparatory work is required to reach premises (for example, digging trenches, laying duct, installing 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 by the end of 2024. 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.  

Please note the premises to be reached by the contract are 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 these contracts can be viewed using the online address checker and is published as part of BDUK’s transparency data showing premises in BDUK 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: