ALL internet and phoneline connections via fibre cables will be restored in Basingstoke by this evening (Monday), Openreach has confirmed.

However, a spokesperson for the internet provider said the copper network is taking longer to repair and teams have been brought in from as far away as Wales to help with the work.

A spokesperson for Openreach said: “Our specialist engineers worked around the clock over the weekend and repairs to our fibre cables should be complete by this evening, meaning that broadband services will have been restored for most people. 

“Our copper network is taking longer to repair and teams have been brought in from as far away as Wales to help with the work.

“Some customers may find that their broadband is back online more quickly than their land line, and while this may be frustrating, it’s because different technologies are being repaired in different ways. 

“It's likely that repairs will continue into this week but we’d like to reassure everyone that we’re doing our best to get everyone reconnected as quickly as possible and thank everyone affected again for their patience.”

Hospitals, businesses and around 4,000 Basingstoke families had their internet cut off from last Wednesday after Hampshire County Council’s contract workers accidentally damaged an underground network cable while undertaking the Brighton Hill roundabout piling works.