West Dorset is set to benefit from up to one third of an estimated £43.2 million contract which will improve broadband connectivity in the area.

The contract is part of the latest Project Gigabit procurement phase – the government's flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband.

Building Digital UK have confirmed that invitation for tender will begin this year and the contract will be awarded by March 2024. 

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has welcomed the news.

He said: "Large parts of Dorset and South Somerset are covered in this contract, which will see more than 22,000 premises benefit from this investment.

"It is clear that West Dorset rightly deserves its share of this investment; Gigabit broadband connectivity in the constituency stands at 40.7%, compared to the national average of 75.9%.

"I look forward to supporting the work of Project Gigabit with this new contract and building on the recent inroads made. To date, more than 690 premises in West Dorset have claimed and received payment through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, with a combined value of over £1.3 million.

"When I was elected, I committed to making broadband connectivity better for West Dorset, and this announcement demonstrates that significant progress is being made."