Superfast broadband boost for East Essex

Homes and businesses in East Essex have discovered they will be connected to fibre optic broadband, thanks to a local rollout project.

The e-Sussex scheme has been launched, with engineers beginning to carry out essential installation work in order to embed the fibre optic network. It is estimated that the first properties should be connected to superfast speeds within the next six months.

Fibre optic exchanges have already been set up in areas of the region including Heathfield, Hadlow Down and Mayfield and many more are planned to be created in coming weeks.

The move has been praised by East Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economy Rupert Simmons, who claimed both residents and entrepreneurs would be able to reap the benefits of the next-generation network.

He said: "This is one of the top economic development projects for this authority and we are delighted that work on the ground has well and truly started."