New fibre broadband cable to be laid in Dorset

Work has begun to install a 18km superfast fibre optic broadband cable underneath the A35 to bring the high-speed technology to Dorset residents.

The cable is being laid from Charmouth to Bridport as part of the Superfast Dorset rollout programme, allowing residents and businesses in the area to connect to significantly faster internet speeds than before.

Preparation for the laying went well, with work being completed well ahead of schedule, Bridport News reports.

BT Openreach Project Manager Andy Cadman explained: "We normally expect to prove about 1km per week, but were able to get the whole length completed in seven weeks - half the time we were planning."

However, he highlighted that it hasn't been an easy task to complete, with heavy rain filling a large proportion of the manholes with silt, which created extra work for the staff on the project. In addition, most of the laying had to be done at night, making visibility poor and therefore presenting another challenge.

Thanks to the cable, it is hoped that by the end of 2016, around 95 per cent of homes and firms in the area will have access to better broadband, potentially reaching speeds that exceed 24Mbps.