Super Sam spreads the word on Superfast broadband in Colchester

Super Sam travels across Essex

Super Sam, Essex’s newest superhero, was given a warm welcome when he arrived in the county for the first time, visiting Colchester to raise awareness of the work which has happened so far to upgrade broadband services in the area.

This was the first of five visits Super Sam will be making as he travels across Essex throughout this year.

His mission is to champion superfast broadband on behalf of Superfast Essex, the county’s broadband improvement programme co-ordinated by Essex County Council, and highlight where superfast broadband is available.

In Colchester town centre on Saturday, 30 April, Super Sam met around 4,000 people, giving them the opportunity to ask questions about superfast broadband in their area.

Super Sam and his team are bringing increased broadband speeds capable of 24Mbps and above to many rural communities.

His next stop will be in Chelmsford city centre in June. Look out for further details on leaflets and posters being shared in local schools and the local neighbourhood later this month.

Super Sam said: “It was such a great day and I met so many wonderful people and had my photo taken with them. I wanted to make sure that the people of Colchester knew how to get connected now the new technology is becoming available.

• 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. It’s my duty to help communities get up to speed.”

  At least 40 cabinets in 11 different exchange areas in the Colchester borough have been upgraded to fibre already. The full list of live cabinets is available at: www.superfastessex.org/cabinets.

  As work is completed to upgrade the broadband network to provide superfast speeds, no homes or businesses are automatically connected – customers will need to contact a broadband service provider and ask to switch or buy a fibre broadband service.

  Essex County Councillor Penny Channer, Deputy Cabinet Member for Broadband and Enterprise and Superfast Essex Steering Board Chairman, said: “With Super Sam’s help, we want to let Essex residents know where superfast broadband is available and tell them what they need to do to access it.

  "The fact we’ve already upgraded 40 cabinets in 11 different exchange areas in Colchester borough is a great achievement and there’s still more to come.”

  Find out more about Super Sam’s journey across Essex and watch him in action at:www.superfastessex.org/supersam.

  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.

  ENDS

  Media Contact: Rhiannon Jones (rhiannon.jones@essex.gov.uk).

  Notes to Editors:

  IMAGES: Photographs of Super Sam during his visit to Colchester are available upon request.
  WATCH: Super Sam in action at www.superfastessex.org/SuperSam
  View the full list of 336 cabinets enabled by Superfast Essex at: www.superfastessex.org/cabinets.
  Once fibre is available from a cabinet, customers need to contact a broadband service provider to ask to upgrade/switch their service to fibre. A list of providers is available here:www.superfastessex.org/providers.
  To register your demand for superfast broadband, visit www.superfastessex.org/get-involved/