Southend is the second best-connected place in the UK.
Southend-on-Sea didn't just wake up one morning with ultrafast broadband, smart city tech and some of the best digital infrastructure in the UK. And the full-fibre network wasn't built because it sounded good in a report!
It happened because seven councils - Southend, Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Essex County, Rochford, and Thurrock - across South Essex spent years planning and investing over £50 million with one clear purpose: To make life better in your home, your street, your job, your community and your city.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Corporate Strategy and Leader of the Council, said: "Our full‑fibre network is already transforming daily life across Southend and South Essex. With over 70,000 premises in Southend now having access to full-fibre broadband, they are benefiting from faster, more reliable connections at home, in our libraries and community centres.
"Local businesses are seeing the impact too, unlocking part of the £800 million economic boost expected from this investment over the next 14 years. This transformative project is about making life easier, fairer and more inclusive for everyone in our community."
Here are 10 ways this work is already improving your daily life (even if you haven't noticed it happening).
1. Your internet just... works!
No buffering when "I'm a Celeb" is on. No frozen Zoom calls. No getting lost in the depths of the Essex countryside.
With 97% full-fibre broadband coverage, Southend is the second-best connected place in the UK. That means you get:
- smoother streaming for the whole household
- reliable business and personal calls
- lag-free gaming
- rock solid connections even in remote areas
So what?
Your everyday digital life becomes effortless. No stress, no dropouts; just internet that works when you need it.
2. Local businesses are growing faster (and hiring more people)
Fibre broadband means your favourite shops, cafes, salons, freelancers and small businesses can operate like they're in a major city, meaning a stronger, more vibrant local economy with more jobs and more services.
With better connectivity, businesses can:
- take payments instantly
- run online stores and trade nationally
- hire more people
- offer better services
So what?
Southend's full-fibre rollout is expected to unlock over £800 million in economic growth, including £296m in productivity and innovation gains and a £65m wider workforce boost.
3. Your home may be worth more than before
Fibre broadband now adds serious value to homes. In Southend, this economic uplift could reach up to £497 million across the city.
So what?
Whether you're planning to sell one day or not, your biggest asset is now more future-proof and more valuable simply because of the digital network beneath your street.
4. Public services are already cheaper, faster and smarter
Fibre broadband helps the public save money and helps councils run more efficiently. For example:
- Thurrock Council realised savings of around £1 million through shared fibre
- CCTV upgrades are now cheaper and quicker, improving safety for less in Basildon - following a partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council
So what?
Every pound saved on tech and infrastructure is a pound that can go back into frontline services to fund the things that matter to you, like community safety, libraries, parks and family support.
5. Older residents are getting better support and more independence
Fibre Wi‑Fi, digital screens and NHS‑ready virtual consultation capabilities.
Residents are already using it to:
- join online workshops
- contact family on Zoom or Teams
- receive NHS messages
- access digital wellbeing services
So what?
Your parents, grandparents and neighbours can stay connected, supported and independent for longer, improving quality of life for them and peace of mind for you.
6. Community spaces are boosting digital inclusion with FREE fibre
Thanks to social value investment, 20 community hubs across South Essex now have free fibre broadband.
That means:
- people can get online for job applications
- digital skills classes can run‑skills classes can run
- voluntary groups can operate more easily
- isolated residents have safe spaces to get digital help
So what?
No one is left behind. Anyone in Southend can get online safely regardless of their circumstances.
7. Your streets and public spaces are getting smarter (and safer)
South Essex now has its own LoRaWAN smart‑city network sitting on top of the fibre backbone, and this technology is a gamechanger.
It enables pilots like:
- flood sensors to prevent and reduce disruptions
- damp and mould sensors to protect homes' quality
- footfall counting to support local high streets
- smart bins to reduce waste collection costs
So what?
Your neighbourhood becomes safer, cleaner, more efficient and better-maintained, without you having to do anything.
Learn more about what LoRaWAN means on The Things Network website.
8. The region is attracting new investment and future‑proof jobs
Tech companies, digital startups and innovators want to be where connectivity is strong. Southend has become a prime destination for digital investment.
So what?
This means more good jobs, more training opportunities, and more businesses investing in your city, making Southend a place where young people and families can thrive.
9. Everyday tasks are getting easier across all ages
This isn't "tech for tech's sake." It's making everyday life easier across generations.
Fibre is the foundation for:
- reliable NHS virtual consultations
- online adult learning
- remote education for young people
- better access to council services
- more flexible working for parents and carers
So what?
You can get more done, more easily, without long waits, long travel, or poor connections. Life becomes more flexible, convenient and stress-free.
10. Better connectivity today means better services tomorrow
The fibre network is the foundation for everything that comes next, including:
- better 4G and 5G coverage in urban and rural areas
- more cost-effective smart-city services
- better data-sharing between councils
- new tools for schools, colleges and local businesses
- improved environmental monitoring
So what?
Your city will continue to modernise in ways that directly improve your daily experience, including safer streets, cleaner public spaces, smarter services, and future-proof tech.