US networking giant Cisco has thrown its weight behind the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group, an alliance of power, line and fibre companies assembled at Vector’s initiative to counter criticism that a regional fibre model could become technologically fragmented.

“We see the development of New Zealand’s network infrastructure as a key element to drive productivity, innovation and lifestyle improvement” says Cisco country manager Geoff Lawrie in a statement. “We fully endorse the Regional Fibre Groups efforts to establish a common approach in these areas, and we offer our resources to help make this a reality.”

Ericsson is already installed as a technical advisor to the RFG. The Swedish telecommunications infrastructure maker had earlier warned against the danger of creating “25 hobby networks” under the government’s proposed regional fibre model for its $1.5 billion broadband initiative, but is now onboard to help move things along.

Vector chief executive Simon Mackenzie told NBR that the company’s role is purely advisory, and to ensure that members follow common technology standards. RFG members are free to buy from any telco or network infrastructure vendor they choose.

“The partnerships we have formed means the RFG has a pool of knowledge to draw on about standards-based technical solutions which have been deployed and tested internationally,” says NorthPower chief executive Mark Gatland.

Telecom and Vodafone have attacked the regional model as unlikely to achieve the necessary scale of investment, and likely lead to fragmented technological standards that hinder interconnectivity between regions. Both telcos have proposed plans based around a single, centralised network.

Separately, the RFG announced that the Bay of Plenty’s Horizon Energy has joined its ranks, bringing its membership to 13. Other members are Aurora, CityLink, Counties Power, Eastland Group, Enable Networks, Horizon Network Tasman, NorthPower, PowerNet, Unison, Vector, Velocity and WEL Networks.