Essex County Council is launching a new website to keep residents informed of plans to improve the provision of superfast broadband in the county.
The Superfast Essex website will feature information on how the project is progressing, case studies of those that have benefited from faster broadband speeds, and a link to a tool that checks current broadband speed. The website will also allow residents and businesses to register their need for better broadband where they are. It is important that as many residents and businesses sign up to www.superfastessex.org as possible. This information will then be used to decide which areas of Essex will receive an upgrade first.
The county council has been working with partners across Greater Essex as well as BDUK and now the procurement process can begin. At this stage, the project has commenced an Open Market Review to determine the exact area where to spend public money to bring better speeds to Greater Essex. This consultation is expected to be complete by early April and then by summer a preferred supplier will be contracted to begin works.
Essex County Councillor Kevin Bentley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said, “I am pleased that this website has been launched. It is a great tool for people to register their need for better broadband and also keep updated on the project as it continues to progress. Superfast broadband will make a big difference to our residents, but also to our businesses. It could enable them to begin trading online and introduce themselves to a new audience.
“The county council has a commitment to helping grow the Essex economy, which is outlined in the Economic Growth Strategy which has been published. Superfast Broadband is just one of the ways that I hope we can secure a strong future for the Essex economy.”
Currently there are approximately 180,000 households (30%) in the county that do not receive superfast broadband services of at least 24mbs. The aim of this project is to enable at least 90% of Essex premises to have access to superfast broadband and the remaining premises having access to at least 2mbs by 2015.
To register your interest in getting superfast broadband, or to find out more about the project, visit the new website www.superfastessex.org.