Verwood is one of 227 towns and villages across the UK set to receive full-fibre broadband service in the next couple of years.

Following village trials last year, the company is widening out its build programme to include 250,000 homes and businesses in more than 200 rural locations.

Verwood is currently served mostly by Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) installations, meaning super fast broadcast reaches roadside cabinets but then the rest of the journey is made via the original copper phone line.

Today’s news means most of Verwood would be able to choose Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) installations, where pure fibre optic cables connect the exchange directly to homes.

It’s part of the plan to provide four million homes and businesses with access to Full Fibre technology by the end of March next year.

Beaminster, Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Motcombe are also on the list for the upgrade.

Kim Mears OBE, Managing Director Strategic Infrastructure Development says: “Deciding where we build is just as important as how fast you get there. The problem is, many network builders focus on cities or large urban areas.

“In cities people live closer together so it’s easier to connect more homes in one go, and there’s often more existing infrastructure that can be re-used – helping to drive down costs and allow for a quicker return on investment. There is also less tricky terrain like mountains, rivers, forests and farmland to get in the way.

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure rural areas don’t get left behind, because as an industry we need to work together to meet the Government’s gigabit connectivity ambitions. In the race to deliver Full Fibre to the nation we’re determined to make the digital divide a thing of the past.”