SOUTHEND is set to benefit from a multimillion-pound project to bring full-fibre broadband to one million homes and businesses by 2021.

The scheme is being implemented by Vodafone and CityFibre and will bring the total number of towns and cities confirmed to receive the super fast broadband to ten.

The project will see £465 million invested in a superior broadband which will be more reliable and up to 150 times faster than the average fixed broadband connection in the UK.

The news has been welcomed by the MP for Rochford and Southend East, James Duddridge.

The conservative MP said: "This is great news for Southend which will allow businesses to work more efficiently as the use of the internet becomes ever more important.

"The commitment from Vodafone and CityFibre in Southend is a clear sign that Southend is an excellent place to do business and I am sure that this improved technological infrastructure will have a positive effect on our local economy."

Once CityFibre has installed the fibre infrastructure in each city, customers are able to benefit from Vodafone’s Gigafast Broadband service.

This offers faster and more reliable broadband with both upload and download speeds of at least 900Mbps.

Since mid-September 2018, customers in Milton Keynes have already placed orders for Vodafone Gigafast Broadband, and residents and businesses in Aberdeen and Peterborough will be eligible to pre-order the service from November 2018.

Vodafone UK Chief Executive Nick Jeffery said: “Overhauling the nation’s broadband is a vital undertaking that we’re proud to be a part of.

"By bringing the benefits of full fibre to more and more cities and towns, from Stirling to Southend, one million homes across the country can benefit from this world-class technology.”

Detailed city-wide planning is already underway in Southend and CityFibre is working closely with the council to co-ordinate the build and maximise the benefits of full fibre.

The company has also already invested in spine networks in in the town, working with a range of partners to connect public services such as schools, libraries, offices and businesses.

Greg Mesch, CEO at CityFibre, added: “Our roll-out is gathering pace. We have made investment commitments that will transform the digital capabilities of ten towns and cities forever.

"The full fibre age is taking hold across the UK and CityFibre is leading the charge, Britain should prepare for a copper to fibre switchover as this aging technology cannot keep up with the UK’s connectivity needs.”