Digital Essex has been set up by the council as the central body for countywide digital initiatives.
We want to make sure that no individual or business is excluded from digital opportunities due to lack of high speed and affordable broadband connections, equipment, or skills. Our programme of work covers both digital connectivity and inclusion.
In line with our Digital Strategy for Essex (PDF, 1.91MB) and Everyone's Essex, we aim to:
- encourage and promote collaboration between partners working across Essex
- deliver projects that help to give everyone access to the right connection, equipment and skills to benefit from digital opportunities
- drive business growth, innovation and inward investment to Essex, to help build a stronger economy for the future
Boosting digital connections
Since 2013, our broadband improvement programme, Superfast Essex, has upgraded one in every six addresses across the county to fibre broadband. The rollout is continuing. To check the broadband status at your address, visit the Superfast Essex interactive map.
But we know that not all homes and businesses are in plans for an upgrade to a faster broadband connection. Currently, it's estimated that rollouts, both state-funded and commercial, will reach only 80% of the Essex geography. This means the hardest-to-reach areas are at risk of being left behind.
Digital Essex wants everyone to have access to lightning-speed digital connectivity – delivered by gigabit-capable or 5G technology. We are working to make sure that new, faster services will benefit the lives of our residents and businesses.
Going forward, we will support commercial rollouts and develop projects to help reach rural homes and businesses in the hardest-to-reach areas of the county. This will include a local gigabit grant scheme, where we’ll help to fund upgrades to the more challenging rural addresses.
For the latest information, follow Digital Essex on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
Championing digital inclusion
Digital Essex is working with key partners across the county to help tackle the causes of people being excluded digitally. These include lack of access to affordable connectivity, and limited digital skills and confidence.
Our projects and targeted campaigns aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the evolving digital world. Find out more about our digital inclusion work.