Essex, United Kingdom – Openreach, the UK’s leading digital network provider, has achieved a significant milestone in enhancing broadband access for residents and businesses across Essex. This £66 million investment has already enabled more than 220,000 homes and enterprises in the region, accounting for approximately 33% of the total, to access ultrafast broadband services, positioning Essex among Europe’s leaders in broadband infrastructure.
The towns and areas that have already witnessed the benefits of this broadband upgrade include Billericay, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Epping, Herongate, Hullbridge, Latchingdon, Nazeing, and Wickford. However, the positive impact is set to expand further, with tens of thousands more residents and businesses in locations such as Basildon, Braintree, Clacton-on-Sea, Grays Thurrock, Harwich, Laindon, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, and Stanford-le-Hope expected to gain access in the next 18 months.
Openreach’s dedicated engineers are tirelessly working to extend the new network’s coverage across the county, ensuring that more communities can enjoy high-speed and reliable broadband services. Residents and businesses in Essex can stay updated on the progress of this expansion by referring to Openreach’s improved map of announced exchanges, available on the company’s website. Additionally, Openreach offers a convenient fibre checker tool that enables consumers to determine the available infrastructure at their specific address.
This monumental achievement has been made possible through Openreach’s substantial investment of £66 million, both independently and in collaboration with Essex County Council’s Digital Essex programme.
