Three Hamilton businesses have formed a partnership to roll out fast broadband to urban and targeted rural areas throughout the Waikato.

WEL Networks, Velocity Networks and Hamilton Fibre Network will extend the existing metropolitan networks within Hamilton through the project.

WEL Networks CEO Julian Elder said the government’s endorsement of local fibre would “leapfrog the Waikato to world-class broadband”.

“The government’s new strategy of giving local companies the authority to rollout broadband to local communities will result in the Waikato region enjoying a sustainable economy and productivity boost.”

Dr Elder said the partnership was more in tune with local interests, industry groups and residents than national telcos.

Velocity Networks managing director John O’Donoghue said the regional rollout would be modelled on the success of Hamilton Fibre Network, which has a 45 kilometre broadband network that is managed by Velocity Networks.

Mr O’Donoghue said faster broadband would benefit the wider Hamilton and rural Waikato community by promoting better opportunities from remote health and education services, greater efficiencies for business users and allowing people in rural areas to work from home more easily.

The partnership will work together with a Hamilton City Council strategy, Digital Hamilton, to ensure the advantages of ultra-fast broadband are delivered to city residents, businesses and targeted rural communities.

WEL Networks and Velocity Networks are members of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group - a consortium of 18 organisations.