ESSEX County Council’s broadband mascot Super Sam has been travelling across the county to highlight the benefits of superfast broadband and the work undertaken by Superfast Essex to rollout superfast speeds of 24Mbps and above. The broadband superhero visited five locations across Essex this year in an effort to raise awareness of the new technology installed by Superfast Essex, reaching over 270,000 people in 8 months. Super Sam’s efforts have led to a significant increase in the take up of superfast services which will help to bring more investment back into extending the programme.

Reinvestment of over £1.9 million is already being used to enable even more homes and businesses with a superfast connection.

Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader and councillor for Economic Growth, Infrastructure and Partnerships said: “The Superfast Essex programme is working to enable over 120,000 homes and businesses in Essex with superfast broadband by 2020.

“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 and this programme is working to make Essex one of the best connected counties in the UK.”

So far 73,000 homes and businesses have been enabled with superfast broadband with the programme running three months ahead of schedule. Earlier this year Superfast Essex announced plans for a Phase 3 to enable even more premises to gain access to superfast speeds. Rollout plans will be available Spring/Summer next year. More information can be found at: www.superfastessex.org/whatshappeningnext Once work has been completed to upgrade the broadband network and fibre is available, no homes or businesses are automatically connected – customers need to contact a broadband service provider and ask to switch or buy a fibre broadband service. A list of providers is available at www.superfastessex.org/providers.

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/registerdemand