An independent internet provider has landed a national industry award for its work connecting rural Dorset communities to ultrafast full fibre broadband.

Blandford-based Wessex Internet beat companies from across the UK to win the ‘Best Rural Hard to Reach Project’ category at the INCA Gold Awards.

The awards celebrate the success of independent networks in delivering digital infrastructure in the UK.

Wessex Internet, which is bringing ultrafast broadband to towns and villages across Dorset, Wiltshire and South Somerset, was recognised for its network rollout in Pallington Heath and Waddock, Dorset – a project made up of two small hamlets and a number of remote properties.

The company impressed judges with its unique focus on community collaboration and its innovative approach to building networks which allowed it to reach even the most remote properties in the area.

Given the rural terrain in the area, one national provider had told a resident whose house was in the middle of a forest that it would be ‘impossible’ to reach his house with fibre, leaving him with no choice but to rely on a makeshift yacht antenna, connected to two data SIM cards for connectivity.

Wessex Internet was able to connect the customer, and all other properties in the area, within six months of initiating the project.

Hector Gibson Fleming, Wessex Internet CEO, pictured left,  said: “We’re honoured to have won this national award.

“This really is testament to the hard work of our team.

“From the guys out in the fields building our network in all weather to the teams in the office that serve our customers every day, everyone is passionate about bringing fast, reliable broadband to local communities and we’re really proud of what they have achieved.

“The project was just one of the hundreds of local rural communities we have connected to full fibre broadband in the last few years.

“With recent growth in our company, we’re excited that we will be bringing full fibre broadband to thousands more homes and businesses in local market towns, villages and hamlets in the next few years.”

The awards were held as part of the INCA conference at the National Motorcycle Museum near Solihull.