Essex County Council (ECC) has launched a month long consultation as part of the Superfast Essex project. The consultation asks residents and businesses whether they are aware of any plans to upgrade the communications network in their local areas.
Telecoms companies and Internet Service Providers have already been asked to share their plans with ECC and based on the information submitted, maps have been produced which shows the levels of broadband service that will be available in Essex in the next three years. This is part of the next stage of the process to get superfast (24Mbps) broadband available to at least 90% of the Essex population.
Essex County Councillor Kevin Bentley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said, “This consultation moves us a step closer to being able to begin the work which will enable residents to receive Superfast broadband services. As well as this consultation, we are still asking residents to register their interest on www.superfastessex.org – as this is helping us get a clearer picture of the parts of county that need at upgrade.”
ECC are seeking the views of Essex’s residents and businesses on those maps and on the objectives of the Superfast Essex Broadband Project. The State Aid Public Consultation commences today (18th March) and will continue for one calendar month.
The public consultation document can be found at www.superfastessex.org or on the ECC, Southend on Sea Borough Council and Thurrock Borough Council’s website and responses to the questions asked in the consultation should be sent to make.theconnection@essex.gov.uk.
The State Aid Public Consultation forms part of the process required to be completed in order to comply with EU State Aid regulations. For more details see; https://www.gov.uk/broadband-delivery-uk#state-aid