Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Super Sam - bringing superfast broadband to Essex
Superfast Essex's mascot
Super Sam, Essex’s newest superhero, will be making a special appearance in Colchester town centre on Saturday 30 April, to raise awareness of the work which has happened so far to upgrade broadband services in the area.
Super Sam is championing superfast broadband on behalf of Superfast Essex, the county’s broadband improvement programme co-ordinated by Essex County Council, and will be in Culver Square, Colchester on Saturday, between 10am and 3pm, to let Essex residents know where superfast broadband is now available and tell them what they need to do to access it. So far 40 cabinets in 11 different exchange areas in Colchester Borough have been upgraded to fibre broadband.
Super Sam with two helpers preparing for his visit to Colchester Town Centre on Saturday 30 April.
Right now and over the course of the next few years, Superfast Essex is installing superfast fibre broadband across the county. Super Sam and his team are bringing increased broadband speeds capable of 24Mbps and above to many rural communities.
As work is completed to upgrade the broadband network to provide superfast speeds, no homes or businesses are automatically connected – customers have to contact a broadband service provider and ask to switch or buy a fibre broadband service.
Super Sam said: “It’s my duty as a superhero to bring superfast broadband to homes and business in Essex and make sure that everyone knows how to get connected when the new technology arrives. There are a lot of people out there who need to study or access information online, and want to keep in touch with family and friends by video-calling, or watch the latest films and TV shows without interruptions and without buffering. I’m here to help communities get up to speed.”
Super Sam will be making appearances in Essex throughout the year bringing with him superfast broadband to each community along the way. Find out more and watch Super Sam in action at: www.superfastessex.org/supersam.
Essex County Councillor Penny Channer, Deputy Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, and Waste & Recycling, and Superfast Essex Steering Board Chairman, said: “Super Sam is travelling across Essex to help raise awareness of the Superfast Essex broadband programme, and how it can benefit communities. I encourage everyone to go out and meet Super Sam when he visits, and talk to him about accessing superfast broadband in your area.”
Find out the latest broadband rollout information for your area at www.superfastessex.org/maps. Anyone not covered by the Superfast Essex programme can register their demand for superfast broadband by completing the Make the Connection Survey at www.superfastessex.org/getinvolved.