Fibre to the Premises

Key websites

BDUK – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/building-digital-uk

Wessex Internet – https://www.wessexinternet.com/

Project Gigabit – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/project-gigabit-uk-gigabit-programme

Update November 2026

The Council has recently written again to the Chief Executive of BDUK to ask:

  1. Does BDUK accept that this means the commercial rollout plans relied upon when Godshill was removed from the Wessex Internet contract no longer apply?
  2. In accordance with the Government’s answer to Parliament on 1 June, will BDUK now formally reclassify the affected Godshill premises as eligible for public subsidy?
  3. What mechanism will BDUK use to bring Godshill back within Project Gigabit intervention?
  4. Will BDUK consider reinstating the premises within the existing New Forest intervention, whether through Wessex Internet or another appropriate delivery mechanism?
  5. What timetable will now apply for reaching a decision and ultimately providing gigabit-capable broadband to these premises?

It has also written to Sir Desmond Swayne MP who has kindly written a letter to the Rt Hon Ian Murray MP at in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport requesting that Godshill be reinstated to the Project Gigabit contract. He is the Minister responsible for Digital infrastructure.

Note – In July 2026, Building Digital UK (BDUK), which delivers Project Gigabit, transferred to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Department of Science and Technology Update – April 2026

On 15 April 2026 the Department of Science and Technology confirmed to the Council that a formal change had been agreed to the Wessex Internet New Forest Project Gigabit contract and that premises in Godshill had been removed from its scope.  The Department stated:

“Since the contract was awarded, the emergence of suppliers’ commercial plans in and around Godshill has meant that fewer premises now require intervention through Project Gigabit.”

Importantly, the same letter also stated:

“Where it becomes clear that commercial rollout will not proceed as expected, we will consider whether further intervention is required to support improved connectivity.”

Wessex Internet Update – January 2026

Wessex Internet placed its planned Godshill build on hold following a BDUK review.

The reason given was the emergence of another supplier’s commercial plans. It subsequently confirmed that it had removed Godshill from its rollout plans.

Wessex Internet Update – 4th Nov 2025

Over the last 12 months or so the Parish Council has been in dialogue with Wessex Internet to try and obtain a clear understanding of their roll out plans and timings.  This has included Wessex Internet attending a Parish Council meeting and responding directly to questions raised.

I am pleased to report that we know have some clarity.

Installation/Go Live Timing

Wessex Internet have stated tht the planned go live would be Autumn of 2026.  It is worth noting that under their current contract with the UK Government they need to complete the work by December 2026.

Homes Covered

We have received a complete list of all the 223 homes currently planned to be covered in the revised re-scoping of Godshill; this will be confirmed once their planners complete the routing work.  The PDF can be viewed on the Parish Council website please click this link:  You can then check to see if your address is on it.

Cabling Routes

Wessex Internet will go through a process from high level planning down to detailed on site reviewing and discussions with landowners.  This will also include, probably around Summer 2026, a Public Residents Meeting where they will present and go through the plans.

Is Wessex Internet Stand-Alone

Wessex Internet is building a standalone network. They will utilise BT poles and chambers/ducts to run their own fibre, where they need to, but otherwise the network is entirely separate from Openreach’s.

Registering Interest

We would encourage everyone to register their interest in having the Fibre Broadband on the Wessex Internet site if this is something they are likely to take up.

Going forward the Parish Council is aiming to actively maintain a dialogue with Wessex Internet and will bring you updates as and when we have them.