Sidmouth is set to benefit from gigabit broadband connectivity as provider Jurassic Fibre announced it is to extend its network to the coastal town and surrounding villages.

Construction is due to commence shortly. Once complete, the network will deliver ultrafast internet speeds of up to 950Mbps for residents and 10Gbps for businesses.

In addition to Sidmouth, the surrounding villages of Sidbury, Weston, Salcombe Regis and Branscombe are also set to benefit.

Sidmouth resident Michael Maltby, founder and CEO of Jurassic Fibre, set up the company in 2018 after working on broadband networks around the world from Russia to the Caribbean. Since then, the company has been building a cutting-edge full fibre network, connecting communities across the region.

Michael said: “As a local resident of Sidmouth, announcing the start of our build in Sidmouth is a milestone for Jurassic Fibre. I set up Jurassic in 2018 after years of frustration over the quality of the local internet, which was doubly frustrating having worked on building fibre networks around the world. The aim was simple: to provide the digital plumbing the region needs to thrive in the 21st century and secure Sidmouth and the South West’s position as the best place to live, work and relax in the United Kingdom.”

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: “I know just how important it is for everyone to have access to reliable and high speed internet. It is something I am committed to championing across East Devon and I am delighted that Jurassic Fibre are extending their network to Sidmouth and the immediate area.

“As a local resident of the town, I am particularly pleased with this important step forward for Sidmouth and hope that very soon thousands of local homes and businesses will have the opportunity to access better broadband.”

Matthew Galley, Head of Partnerships at Jurassic Fibre, commented: “We’re delighted to be able to extend our network, not just in the centre of Sidmouth, but to all of the surrounding villages which are so often forgotten. We aim to work with communities to bring decent broadband to some of the most remote and hard to reach areas wherever possible.”

Exeter-based Jurassic Fibre is armed with a £250m investment from Fern Trading, advised by Octopus Investments, to deliver a fibre network for the South West, passing over 350,000 premises.

So far, the company has connected towns and villages across Devon and Somerset, including Exmouth, Sowton, Honiton, Barnstaple and Bridgwater. Further locations are expected to go live in the coming months.

Full fibre means the line is fibre optic cable directly from an exchange to the property. Currently, the majority of the infrastructure in place relies on copper cables which slows the internet speed down considerably.

Jurassic Fibre has a goal to future-proof the broadband infrastructure across Devon, Somerset and Dorset for years to come, providing best-in-class connectivity to communities which have historically been overlooked by other providers.

Jurassic Fibre has a range of flexible plans for both business and home. Residential customers benefit from Jurassic Fibre’s innovative 30-day rolling contracts.

Villages with high demand for full fibre are urged to register their interest with Jurassic Fibre via the company’s website.