ALMOST 60 per cent of residents across the region are frustrated with their slow internet speeds, new research has shown.

The study, carried out by Aldham firm County Broadband, found 59 per cent of residents in East Anglia said their slow speeds were unreliable, whilst 76 per cent said they needed better connectivity.

The research also found 14 per cent of residents have been unable to use Zoom or other video calling services during lockdown due to their broadband service whilst 15 per cent say poor connectivity has led to disruption of their work or a loss of business.

Lloyd Felton, chief executive of County Broadband, said: "Put simply, lockdown has painfully exposed large areas of poor digital connectivity across north-east Essex and East Anglia, especially in rural communities.

"We’re spearheading efforts in north-east Essex to fix this with our future-ready network.”

David Burch, director of policy at the Essex Chambers of Commerce, added: “The move to many people working from home caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has shown the importance of having first class, and ideally full fibre, broadband connectivity installed as widely as possible.

“It has at times been considered almost a luxury but businesses will increasingly regard it as a necessity in the future.

"If we are to continue to develop our local economies we need to see more initiatives such as this from County Broadband and we very much welcome what they are doing to support both businesses and residents across East Anglia.”

Visit countybroadband.co.uk.