A new digital network launched by Southend-on-Sea City Council is set to transform how local services are delivered, starting with the rollout of smart water meters.
The network, known as a LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network), is part of a wider South Essex programme and allows small, low-powered sensors to send tiny bits of data over long distances without needing mobile networks or Wi-Fi.
The council's LoRaWAN was developed in partnership with other South Essex councils and is built on top of a 280km full-fibre network. It will provide free access for public services for the next 15 years and will also support community hubs and digital inclusion projects.
This infrastructure is designed to make local services smarter and more proactive, for example, spotting flooding risks earlier, monitoring air quality, or helping identify when vulnerable residents may need support.
There are two LoRaWAN networks supporting this work: one is run by Southend-on-Sea City Council, for public sector use and wider innovation. The other is delivered by Connexin, a technology company working with Essex and Suffolk Water on a major smart water metering programme.
Connexin will use some of Southend's network capacity. Initially, Connexin proposed installing around 260 masts to support their network, but following engagement with the council's ICT team, they have now agreed to use existing streetlight poles and share capacity on the council's network where needed.
This partnership avoids the need for new masts and keeps the rollout as unobtrusive as possible.
How it works
Each sensor sends small packets of data, like digital "postcards", to nearby gateways (like post boxes) mounted on poles or buildings. These are then routed to a central server and passed to dashboards used by services to take action when needed.
The first major use will be smart water meters, helping Essex and Suffolk Water detect leaks more quickly, improve billing accuracy, and reduce water waste.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "This is a smart, resident-first solution. By using the infrastructure we already have, like streetlights, we've avoided our streets being cluttered with lots of new masts. We said we'd find a way to stop the masts, and we did.
"This digital network, developed in partnership with other South Essex councils, allows us to deliver services in a faster, smarter, and more cost-effective way with potential to do more to improve our services.
"I do want to reassure residents that these sensors are discreet and do not collect personal data like images or video."
The rollout supports Essex and Suffolk Water's wider programme to install up to one million smart meters across Essex and Suffolk by 2035.